American Axle & Manufacturing Expands R&D in Off-Road Racing to Build Better Products
APEX Show Booth #1458
DETROIT, Oct. 23 -- American Axle & Manufacturing (AAM) Holdings, Inc., which is traded as AXL on the NYSE, today announced an expansion of its efforts to utilize off-road racing as a research and development testing tool. Starting this fall, AAM will be supplying parts to legendary racer, Rod Hall, and Team Hummer in their quest to reach victory lane in the SCORE-International Off-Road Racing Series and the 40th annual Baja 1000.
AAM gathers data from three key race series:
o SCORE and its Desert Racing Series with Team Hummer
o Championship Off-Road Racing (CORR) in Pro-4 class pickups
o World Series of Off-Road Racing (WSORR) in Pro-4 class pickups
AAM uses off-road race testing to improve its original equipment (OE), aftermarket and prototype parts focusing on dynamics and vehicle handling engineering. The race series allow AAM to gather valuable non-traditional product research data in harsh environments and track configurations.
AAM and Team Hummer: A Winning Team
For Team Hummer's H2 driven by Josh Hall, AAM supplies 4.10 PowerDense(TM) gear sets in front 9.25-inch open and TracRite® GT helical axle differentials. The rear features an AAM 9.5-inch axle with 4.10 PowerDense(TM) gear set. The TracRite® GT features a torque sensitive design that instantaneously biases torque before differentiation begins. It can be used with or without a feature that pre-loads the gears. TracRite® axle differentials are designed to improve performance and handling characteristics in virtually any driving condition.
AAM also produces the front and rear axle assemblies of the production version of the H2. The entire driveline is designed for maximum off-road performance with enhanced traction, stability, handling, durability and NVH characteristics. The production H2 has an AAM PowerLite® independent aluminum front axle and five-link rear suspension drive axle utilizing PowerDense(TM) gear sets.
AAM gear sets are hobbed rather than face-milled to create more surface area and equal tooth depth. The gear teeth are generated simultaneously with uniform tooth spacing. The H2 also features AAM front and rear driveshafts.
For Team Hummer's H3 driven by Rod Hall, AAM supplies its 7.6-inch front axle with a 4.56 PowerDense(TM) gear set. Like the H2, the production H3 features a PowerLite® front independent aluminum front axle that is also in the Chevrolet Colorado and the GMC Canyon. The H3 also features an AAM cast iron rear axle and front and rear driveshafts.
CORR and WSORR Pro-4 Racing: Right on Track
AAM's 9.25-inch front open axle differential and 9.25-inch TracRite® GT helical axle differential are used by several race teams in the Championship Off-Road Racing (CORR) and World Series of Off-Road Racing (WSORR) series. These differentials, modified versions of OE differentials that are featured on the popular GMC Sierra HD and Chevrolet 2500/3500 HD trucks, are housed in AAM's PowerLite® aluminum axle case housing.
About AAM Aftermarket
AAM Aftermarket sets the industry benchmark in providing its customers with OE axle and driveshaft parts for sport utility vehicles and light duty trucks. It provides high quality, reliability, durability and performance in every aftermarket part it sells. It offers complete program and product management, a dedicated distribution center, world-class order fulfillment, extensive distributor network and a knowledgeable staff providing technical, product and sales support.
For more information on AAM Aftermarket products and services, visit the Internet at www.aam.com or call 1-800-299-AXLE.
About AAM
AAM is a world leader in the manufacture, engineering, design and validation of driveline and drivetrain systems and related components and modules, chassis systems and metal-formed products for light trucks, sport utility vehicles and passenger cars. In addition to locations in the United States (Indiana, Michigan, New York and Ohio), AAM also has offices or facilities in Brazil, China, Germany, India, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, Poland, South Korea and the United Kingdom.
Certain statements contained in this press release which are not historical facts contain forward-looking information with respect to the Company's plans, projections or future performance, the occurrence of which involves risk and uncertainties that could cause the company's actual results or plans to differ materially from those expected by the company which include risk factors described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
For more information...
Renee B. Rogers
Manager, Communications & Media Relations
(313) 758-4882
Renee.Rogers@aam.com
Or visit the AAM website at www.aam.com
Source: American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc.
Web site: www.aam.com/
