INDUSTRY NEWS
Magna and Ford Collaborate on Lightweight Concept Car
Magna International Inc., Aurora, Ontario, Canada, and
Ford Motor Co. have unveiled a multi-material lightweight vehicle (MMLV) concept that uses advanced material solu- tions to achieve a nearly 25% weight reduction compared to the current production vehicle. Te Magna-led R&D activity, in cooperation with Ford, is co-funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Te concept is based on the production version of a
2013 Ford Fusion and defines a new aluminum-intensive passenger car structure, in part through the substitution of wrought steel with cast and wrought aluminum. Te concept reduces the weight of the Fusion to that of a 2013 Ford Fiesta, making the weight of a C/D segment family sedan approximately equal to that of a subcompact B-car without compromising performance or occupant safety. “Our goal was to investigate how to design and build a
mixed-materials, lightweight vehicle that could potentially be produced in high volume, while providing the same level of safety, durability and toughness as our vehicles on the road today,” said Matt Zaluzec, Ford technical leader, Global Materi- als and Manufacturing Research. “Tere isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to light-weighting. Te research vehicle gives us the platform to continue to explore the right mix of materials and applications for future vehicles.” Te MMLV concept vehicle is part of the U.S. DOE’s Ve-
hicle Technologies Office lightweight materials project portfolio, addressing future CAFE fuel economy legislation. Vehma International, an engineering and prototype division within the Cosma International operating unit of Magna, manufactured and integrated the multi-material body-in-white, closures, chassis and bumper components using a variety of innovative processes, such as hydroforming, stamping, roll forming and diecasting. Ford supplied the vehicles and weight-optimized powertrain, tires/wheels, suspension, interiors, glass and seating to build drivable vehicles for test and evaluation.
INDUSTRY NEWS
Magna International Inc. and Ford Motor Company have unveiled a multi- material lightweight vehicle (MMLV) concept that uses advanced material solutions to achieve a nearly 25% weight reduction compared to the cur- rent production vehicle.
July 2014 MODERN CASTING | 15
PRNewsFoto/Magna International Inc.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60