Novelis Inc. has been selected by General Motors to supply aluminium sheet for the bonnet/hoods and liftgates of the 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid and GMC Yukon Hybrid sport utility vehicles (SUVs).
Novelis says the body of the hybrid vehicles is approximately 400 pounds lighter than a standard model, achieved in part through significant application of aluminium. The use of aluminium helped GM to offset the weight of the hybrid drive, battery pack and related hybrid hardware.
“These are the first aluminum sheet applications for Novelis on hybrid technology vehicles,” said Pat McNulty, Automotive Director for Novelis North America. “We expect aluminum’s ability to reduce vehicle mass and offset the weight of alternative powertrain systems will make its use increasingly attractive to automakers.”
Novelis has been supplying aluminum sheet to GM for over a decade for use on a wide range of vehicles including the GMC Acadia, Buick Enclave, Cadillac CTS and Buick Lucerne models. The company supplies automotive sheet from its North American manufacturing system which includes plants in Oswego, N.Y., and Kingston, Ontario.

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