Agree to develop use of aluminum extrusions for autos

DETROIT -- BMW AG and Hydro Aluminium Automotive (HAA) have signed a multiyear agreement to develop automotive applications, including space frames and subframes, for aluminum extrusions.

HAA, a unit of Hydro Aluminium AS of Oslo, Norway, already has built space frames using extrusions for BMW's prototype electric cars and currently is making subframes in production volumes for General Motors Corp.'s Chevrolet Corvette sports cars.

HAA, headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, has manufacturing facilities on both sides of the Atlantic, including 20 extrusion plants in Europe.

The agreement with BMW is regarded as a positive sign for the future of extrusions and extrusion alloys overseas and in North America. Aluminum industry sources in the United States said it shows that proponents of extrusions continue to strengthen their position with customers and potential customers in the light-weight structural components market.

The world market for aluminum in structural automotive components is being driven by the need for lighter cars with higher fuel economy ratings, the sources said.

In a joint statement, executives of BMW and HAA said, "We have great faith in the success of this simultaneous development program, to be carried out between one of the most innovative car manufacturers and Europe's largest aluminum producer."

HAA belongs to Hydro Aluminium's Extrusion Group, which has four plants in the United States, including one in Holland, Mich., which is making the rear subframes for the Corvettes. Most of the group's work to date in the automotive structural area has involved Series 6000 alloys, notably 6061 and its equivalent European alloy.

The joint statement did not specify which projects are involved in the new agreement, but BMW is believed to be working on at least three experimental space frame/subframe programs in Europe. The agreement does not appear to involve the cars BMW will build at its first U.S. assembly plant, which is being constructed in Spartanburg, S.C.