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STEEL'S INNOVATIVE ROLE IN AUTOMOTIVE DESIGN BEING SHOWCASED IN TV SEGMENT AIRING ON CNBC-TV NETWORK

“The steel industry has been connected with the evolution of the automobile since the early 1900s,” Ron Krupitzer, vice president, automotive applications of AISI said. “Today our industry is reinventing itself much as the automotive industry is--by consolidating and continuing to focus on developing new technologies that meet the needs of our customers. We want everyone connected with the development of new vehicles to see that new steel product and process technologies are key to developing safe, affordable, fuel-efficient and environmentally responsible vehicles for the future.”

AISI has introduced innovative steel technologies into vehicle design through different initiatives, including the ULSAB-Advanced Vehicle Concepts (ULSAB-AVC) program, which was a proactive, global steel-intensive initiative to respond to the automotive customer’s need for affordable, fuel-efficient vehicle design.  Project IMPACT (Improved Materials and Powertrain Architectures for 21st Century Trucks), which was conducted by the U.S. Department of Defense investment-in-partnership with AISI and Ford Motor Company to develop the next generation of  light- and medium- duty trucks, successfully reduced weight, enhanced performance, improved mobility and increased fuel economy of tactical trucks.  Current projects with AISI, the Auto/Steel Partnership, and the U.S. Department of Energy explore the use of advanced high-strength steels for future FreedomCAR applications where weight reduction is a prime objective.

Despite intense material competition, steel content in an average 2005 light vehicle (passenger cars and light trucks) is 64 percent. The development and use of high-strength and advanced high-strength steels are keeping steel the preferred choice against aluminum, composites, and cast iron competitors.   Because these next-generation steels are lighter and stronger than their predecessors, they are being introduced into current market designs for body structures, closures, suspensions, crankshafts, steering knuckles, and other key components.  Steel solutions for future vehicles have proven to be the most affordable year after year.

AISI serves as the voice of the North American steel industry in the public policy arena and advances the case for steel in the marketplace as the preferred material of choice.  AISI also plays a lead role in the development and application of new steels and steelmaking technology.  AISI is comprised of 32 member companies, including integrated and electric furnace steelmakers, and 125 associate and affiliate members who are suppliers to or customers of the steel industry.  AISI's member companies represent approximately 75 percent of both U.S. and North American steel capacity.

The Automotive Applications Committee (AAC) is a subcommittee of the Market Development Committee of AISI and focuses on advancing the use of steel in the highly competitive automotive market. With offices and staff located in Detroit, cooperation between the automobile and steel industries has been key to its success. This industry cooperation resulted in the formation of the Auto/Steel Partnership, a consortium of DaimlerChrysler Corporation, Ford Motor Company and General Motors Corporation and the member companies of the AAC. For more news or information, view the American Iron and Steel Institute /Automotive Applications Committee's website at www.autosteel.org.

American Iron and Steel Institute/
Automotive Applications Committee:
AK Steel Corporation
Dofasco Inc.
Mittal Steel USA
Nucor Corporation
Severstal North America Inc.
United States Steel Corporation

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CONTACT:
Deanna Lorincz
Director, Automotive
Communications
American Iron and Steel Institute
tel: 248.945.4763
fax: 248.352.1740