More Aluminum in the trucks

More Aluminum in trucks could equal better mileage. Hope Toyota would consider this?
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-...ing-military-armor-to-shield-profit-cars.html

 

I wonder if Toyota is involved at all with the 10 speed transmission Ford is developing?

"A 10-speed transmission that Ford is developing with General Motors Co. and the light-duty truck hybrid systems that it collaborated on with Toyota Motor Corp. for research and development are two technologies that could boost Ford’s trucks to the 30 mpg highway rating threshold, two people said."

 

You'll save on gas and the truck won't rot out from under you in 10 years

 

Aluminum is a great idea, except for initial cost. Would people be willing to shell out the money for something they are most likely going to trade in within a few years?

 

Keep in mind the added cost of any body work...aluminum is harder to work on than steel.

 

Why are you assuming people would only keep it a few years? I had my 2001 for nearly 10 years, and hope to have my current 09 for that long as well.

 

I think it's definitely the next step in the progression of trucks. There's only so many ways to increase economy to meet MPG mandates. lugging around less weight seems to be one of the things they've left out from their efforts to increase mileage recently. Seems most vehicles are getting bigger and heavier in a ploy to become safer in crash tests, but aluminum parts when engineered correctly should both drop weight and maintain the strength requirements needed.

 

BS

 

id bet most people dont keep a vehicle longer than 4-5 years

 

Ford already has price tags of around 40 to 50 thousand on their 4x4 trucks. This should push them into the 60 to 70 thousand range. Be careful what you wish for.

 

Disposable society , sad but true

 

Yes , I know I live like 200 miles north of you , but salt air means rust and you said there's no rust which is BS

 

I'm not being a dick , do they not use salt in Seattle or something ? If you look under any vehicle up here you will find rust

 

Most people will never keep a vehicle long enough to pay it off, thats just how it works.

Will the two of you get a room already...

 

Add $20K for material ?

 

Yes, according to the article this is military grade material. You can expect 2 to 3 times the price for T6061 over steel and this would be even more as it is military grade. Where and how much they use is the defining outcome, but a hefty price tag will be involved. Also they will have a selling point about no rust and they will up their price for that.

 

Why would it have to be military grade aluminium though ?

EDIT: I mean in a more broad application rather than just the vehicle in the OP

 

You will have to contact Ford with that question as that is what the article stated. However my guess is because of strength and life span as each grade of material has a different stress ability due to use.

 

Just the body panels will be aluminum right? If so, then the frames could still be susceptible to rust as before.

 

Is that what the article said?