Still Ford “Tough?“ The Auto Giant Puts Steel in the Rearview Mirror in Favor of Safer but More Costly Aluminum
In an effort to lighten the engine weight to improve gas mileage in their new F-150 by an average of nearly 25 percent, Ford Motor Company has made the daring switch to aluminum- amidst gasps of horror from their hardcore demographic of car buyers that have been raised up with the mentality that steel is gold standard. After all, these bruiting, overhauling, heavy duty, full-size, “get the job done” Ford “Tough” trucks have been a winning formula for Ford since its genesis. So why mess with a good thing?
Despite what we have all grown up internalizing from watching the company’s campaign ads over the years, Ford has not gone soft but in fact gotten sharper and smarter. According Time Business Online, Michelle Krebs, a senior analyst for Edmunds, the F-150 itself has had an aluminum hood since 2004. And despite this “Lots of drivers don’t know what kind of metal is in their cars,” said Michelle Krebs, a senior analyst for Edmunds. “So long as the truck does what they need a truck to do, drivers won’t care about Ford’s changes.”
When people think aluminum, they think soda can, foil, etc.- flimsy things. Ford admits, that it will take some convincing for some to make the switch but that in the end Aluminum is the future for many reasons including the fringe benefit of safety.
Better at Absorbing an Impact
Aluminum alloys have superior energy absorption properties, notes DriveAluminum.org. Aluminum components and aluminum-“heavy” vehicles paired with the intelligent vehicle design of today make these vehicles among the safest on the road. In fact, “pound for pound, aluminum can absorb twice as much crash energy as steel.”
In the event of a collision, aluminum structures can be designed to fold more predictably upon impact in their “crumple zones” than their steel counterpart. This improves the chances of a driver and their passengers walking away from a crash unharmed as the aluminum-not its occupants, absorbs much of the force of the crash.
Less Stopping Distance
It’s also important to note that vehicles made lighter with aluminum require less time to stop than those made primarily with other metals, helping drivers avert more crashes.
Though lightweight material is more costly to repair the difference could save your life.
So contrary to popular misconception, aluminum seems like the far better choice. Not only is it good on gas mileage but drivers involved in crashes may fare much better than those driving vehicles made with more inferior metals.
This changes everything. Someone should have told Superman.
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