CLEVELAND, Apr 20, 2010 （BUSINESS WIRE） -- Alcoa Automotive Wheels, a division of Alcoa Wheel and Transportation Products, announced today that it has been awarded the wheel program for the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco. The lightweight wheels help the vehicle to achieve outstanding fuel efficiency. Chevrolet recently announced a segment-leading estimated 40 mpg on the highway for the Cruze Eco when equipped with a manual six-speed transmission.
“Alcoa is pleased to supply forged aluminum wheels for Cruze Eco. Closely following the launch of our Volt wheel program, the Chevrolet team pursued a wheel providing light weight performance that would further extend fuel economy for this latest vehicle,” said Victor Marquez, Vice President and General Manager -- Alcoa Auto Wheels.
Alcoa focused on design, engineering and production techniques to lower the overall weight of the wheel. Forged aluminum wheels by Alcoa provide increased strength and durability gains and are typically greater than 20 percent lighter than a comparable cast aluminum wheel. The seventeen-inch wheels fitted to Cruze Eco weigh just 17.8 lbs.
Light weight forged aluminum wheels not only have a mass reduction effect that reduces emissions and fuel consumption but also further improves driving performance and efficiency by reducing unsprung weight. Less rotational inertia is required to accelerate and decelerate the wheels. Additionally, less mass in the wheel allows for mass reduction in adjacent, unsprung components such as brakes, steering and suspension. Forged wheels offering light weight benefits are the catalyst for a paradigm shift in mass reduction and continued improvement in fuel economy and emissions.
“Alcoa is honored to be working closely with Chevrolet to continue to provide light weight wheel solutions that benefit the consumer, the economy and the environment. If we can also enhance the driving performance, then it's a success on all fronts,” concluded Marquez.
The application is the latest of a growing number of Global OEMs converting to forged aluminum wheels from Alcoa. Wheels for the 2011 Cruze Eco are forged at Alcoa's Cleveland, Ohio （US） Works Plant.
About Alcoa Wheel and Transportation Products
Alcoa Wheel and Transportation Products, headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, serves the commercial vehicle, automotive, and defense markets with products used in a range of applications including forged aluminum wheels, aluminum space frames, specialized vacuum die cast products, niche products such as Dura-Bright（R） and Dura-Flange（R） wheels and M-Series（TM） medium truck wheels, as well as a variety of other aluminum components for these markets. AWTP is composed of three divisions: Transportation Products, Commercial Vehicle Wheels, and Automotive Wheels. It employs 2,800 people at 30 locations worldwide.
About Alcoa
Alcoa is the world leader in the production and management of primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum and alumina combined, through its active and growing participation in all major aspects of the industry. Alcoa serves the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial transportation and industrial markets, bringing design, engineering, production and other capabilities of Alcoa's businesses to customers. In addition to aluminum products and components including flat-rolled products, hard alloy extrusions, and forgings, Alcoa also markets Alcoa（R） wheels, fastening systems, precision and investment castings, and building systems. The Company has been named one of the top most sustainable corporations in the world at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland and has been a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for seven consecutive years. More information can be found at www.alcoa.com.
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