Alcoa (NYSE: AA) today saluted Tesla Motors on the introduction of the Tesla Model S electric vehicle, an all-aluminum premium sedan that accelerates from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 5.6 seconds, with zero tailpipe emissions.
The body of Model S is a state-of-the-art, aluminum-intensive design. Weight-saving benefits make aluminum a natural choice. Stamped sheets of aluminum, extrusions, and castings are expertly joined for rigidity and strength. A rigid and strong structure not only protects passengers, but also contributes to overall maneuverability behind the wheel.
According to a Tesla blog post (http://www.teslamotors.com/blog) by George Blankenship, Tesla Motors Vice President, Worldwide Sales and Ownership Experience, “Aluminum reduces the overall weight of Model S to help maximize efficiency and range… Your Model S actually starts as a huge aluminum coil that weighs up to 20,000 pounds.” The aluminum is used to form the structural aspects of the car and the outer panels, doors, hoods and trunk. Practically all visible metal on Model S is aluminum.
“Tesla’s Model S is a marvel in engineering, design and, quite frankly, entrepreneurship,” said Mark Vrablec, President of Alcoa Aerospace, Transportation and Industrial Products, part of Alcoa’s Global Rolled Products group. “The entire Tesla team is to be congratulated on developing the next phase in driving and then making it a reality.”
Model S was delivered to first customers today. Tesla will be ramping up production throughout 2012 and plans to deliver 5,000 vehicles by year end. Reservations for the premium electric sedan currently exceed 10,000 units.
About Alcoa
Alcoa is the world’s leading producer of primary and fabricated aluminum, as well as the world’s largest miner of bauxite and refiner of alumina. In addition to inventing the modern-day aluminum industry, Alcoa innovation has been behind major milestones in the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial transportation, consumer electronics and industrial markets over the past 120 years. Among the solutions Alcoa markets are flat-rolled products, hard alloy extrusions, and forgings, as well as Alcoa? wheels, fastening systems, precision and investment castings, and building systems in addition to its expertise in other light metals such as titanium and nickel-based super alloys. Sustainability is an integral part of Alcoa’s operating practices and the product design and engineering it provides to customers. Alcoa has been a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for 10 consecutive years and approximately 75 percent of all of the aluminum ever produced since 1888 is still in active use today. Alcoa employs approximately 61,000 people in 31 countries across the world.
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