Alcoa Supplies Spaceframe for Ferrari California
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10/23/2008
Lightweight Solution Latest in Alcoa and Ferrari Innovation in Aluminum
CLEVELAND -- Alcoa Wheel and Transportation Products announced today that it has been selected by Ferrari S.p.A. to supply the all-aluminum spaceframe for the upcoming Ferrari California. The California, recently unveiled at the Paris International Motor Show, is the latest performance vehicle from Ferrari.
The strength and lightweight advantages of Alcoa's aluminum technologies allow Ferrari to maximize performance, strength and structural rigidity of the California to meet customer expectations. Alcoa's aluminum spaceframe is a key component to delivering another new Ferrari with legendary world-class performance.
"Alcoa's expertise in the aluminum industry and a close working relationship with Ferrari, has enabled aluminum solutions to match the legendary performance of each Ferrari. We are dedicated to providing aluminum spaceframe technologies that allow Ferrari to meet all performance, safety and passenger comfort measurements for the new California," explains Kevin B. Kramer, President, Alcoa Wheel and Transportation Products.
"Working closely with Ferrari from the start of the project allowed Alcoa to maximize strength on an open-top two seat sports car while reducing mass and weight to increase performance and deliver a superb driving experience," said Kramer.
Alcoa's optimized aluminum solutions for the new Ferrari California help increase performance while lowering vehicle weight to deliver increased fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions. Particular attention was paid to fuel consumption levels which in the case of the ECE combined cycle is 13.2 l/100 km with CO2 emission levels of around 310 g/km.
Alcoa's spaceframe manufacturing facility is located in Modena, Italy, very close to the Ferrari 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 cast and forged aluminum wheels, aluminum space frames, specialized vacuum die cast products, niche products such as Dura-Bright® and Dura-Flange® 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 (NYSE:AA) 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® wheels, fastening systems, precision and investment castings, structures and building systems. The Company has 97,000 employees in 34 countries and has been named one of the top most sustainable corporations in the world at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. More information can be found at www.alcoa.com.
