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ALCAN'S ALUMINIUM BUMPERS CONTRIBUTE TO OPEL ASTRA'S SAFETY SYSTEM
13 July 2004 - Alcan Automotive
| Alcan's aluminium front bumper beams are making an important contribution to the new Opel Astra's safety system.
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Alcan's aluminium front bumper beams are making an important contribution to the new Opel Astra's safety system. Over a million bumper beams a year are now being manufactured for Opel models alone. In 2003 Alcan produced over six million side-impact beams, two million bumper systems and more than one million instrument panel supports for the automotive industry.
'Aluminium structural components have become the technology of choice for many European automakers to both reduce vehicle weight and enhance safety,' said Michel Jacques, President and CEO, Alcan Engineered Products, 'These lightweight components provide high potential for further improvement in weight reduction, safety and structural stiffness.' In the event of a minor collision, the repair-friendly design of the new Opel Astra serves to reduce repair-shop time and cost. A key component in the design is the Alcan front bumper. Produced at Alcan Automotive's crash-management centre in Gottmadingen, Germany, the front bumper beam features an innovative design, which includes a special aluminium extrusion attached to the vehicle body via high-strength ‘crash boxes’. The energy-absorbing characteristics of the system prevent expensive damage to structural components in a low speed collision. A unique bending method used in the automated production line process permits the shaping of high-strength materials to exact tolerances, ensuring safety, reparability and cost benefits to the end customer.
http://www.alcanautomotive.com
About: Alcan Automotive
Alcan is a multinational company in aluminium and packaging, as well as aluminium recycling, with operations in primary aluminium, fabricated aluminium as well as flexible and specialty packaging, aerospace applications, bauxite mining and alumina processing. Alcan employs 88,000 people and has operating facilities in 58 countries and regions.The merger of Alcan Inc. with Alusuisse Group Ltd. has created a materials company that offers global market coverage and advanced technology solutions in aluminium and other lightweight materials. Alcan has become a leader in the significant growth taking place for aluminium in the automotive sector as manufacturers strive to produce safer, lighter, affordable vehicles. The organisation currently represents a US$13 billion global enterprise with strong anticipated growth in our automotive businesses, operating under the banner of Alcan Automotive. A global R&D network, with technology centres located in key markets around the world, combined with an extensive network of aluminium smelters and manufacturing facilities, provides the automobile industry with complete solutions, from materials delivery to design and manufacture of quality vehicle components and modules. |
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