Daimler has placed a major order with Opel bidder Magna International to develop and build the aluminium bodies for the upcoming Mercedes SLS AMG gullwing.
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In addition to the aluminium body, Magna Steyr will develop and manufacture other major parts and modules of the vehicle, including the gullwing doors, as well as hood and deck lids. Most of the paintwork will also be completed in Graz, and Magna Steyr will provide engineering support for the development of the complete vehicle.
The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG was recently exhibited at the international motor show in Frankfurt and its market launch is scheduled for spring 2010. It will be available in two variants: coupé and convertible.
“It is a particular pleasure to announce that this valued customer has now awarded Magna Steyr with very demanding tasks for the SLS AMG that are key to the success of the vehicle program,” said Magna Co-CEO Siegfried Wolf. “
Daimler is Magna’s fifth biggest customer and the order is seen as a sign of faith that it would not pull business from the supplier despite the planned Opel deal.
Both Volkswagen and BMW have threatened to move work away from Magna if the Opel deal goes through since they fear that Magna would become a direct competitor and unable to maintain client confidentiality.
But Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche told reporters during last month’s Frankfurt motor show that he was not concerned.
“Magna has stated and confirmed again and again that they would have two totally separate organisations with Chinese walls. When you go to a bank, you have to rely on those Chinese walls as well. Does it prevent us from continuing our good business relationship with Magna, the supplier? Clearly no — so I have no problem from that perspective with their decision.”
Magna announced this week that its Steyr unit based in Graz, Austria, had won the SLS AMG contract.
“We can be proud that we are the only supplier in Europe able to manufacture a body made only out of aluminium — that underlines once more our leading position in challenging and innovative technologies,” Siegfried Wolf said.
Aluminium is about a third lighter than steel while offering extreme rigidity, but it is also a more complicated material to use in cars than steel due to varying metallic properties. This requires different production methods for tooling, stamping, welding and painting.
The sports car will be fitted with two doors that swing upwards for entry, resembling wings. This hallmark design became legendary in the 1950s when Mercedes launched the iconic 300 SL sports coupe.
