When it comes to alloy wheels, there is no doubt that forged products are top of the tree in terms of strength and technological benefits, but also price.
However, while they will never be the cheapest products on offer, there are signs that their fitment is becoming increasingly prevalent in the marketplace, with some of the best known volume models now sporting forged aluminium wheels as an option. Tyres & Accessories interviewed David Yates, marketing manager for Alcoa Forged Specialty Wheels in Europe to find out more.
You might think that the recession would have put the kibosh on sales of what is to all extents and purposes the premium of wheel upgrade options. However, while the environment has been tough for everyone, things have not been as bad as could have been expected for Alcoa forged wheel. In fact, according to Yates, when you consider the U.S.-based company’s relatively short history of selling forged wheels in the European market, there is a lot to be pleased about.
“The credit crunch has had an affect on us,” he said. “Car wheel volumes have been reduced significantly overall, however these are growing “rapidly” in Europe. Although we [Alcoa] invented forged wheels 60 years ago, we have only been pushing passenger car forged wheels in Europe for less than 3.5 years, following the U.S. model of introduction.”
What has changed since the last time Tyres &Accessories spoke to Alcoa on this subject is that forged wheels have moved from only being supplied on the supersport cars, to luxury brands last year and, most recently, into the realm of true volume production. While cars like the Toyota Prius and its hybrid drive have been designed with fuel consumption in mind for a fairly long time, others haven’t, and still more want to work in further reductions and benefits and so require the benefits offered by lighter, stronger wheels such as forged products.
Before the credit crunch Alcoa was knocking on the door of selling 2 million units a year in Europe. Last year saw this figure “reduce a little bit,” but 2010 is already showing signs of recovery with “OEMs we never thought would look at our wheels” taking an interest.
The key to Alcoa Europe’s recent development has been its relationships with purchasing OEMs. And the current legislative and economic climate has provided a particularly good opportunity to present the benefits of forged technology – tough emissions targets of 130 g/km of CO2 are increasingly forcing carmakers to find additional methods of reduced fuel consumption. The European rules, passed in December 2008, mean a new CO2 regulation was agreed for the continent, with a target emission level of 130g/km per vehicle. This is being phased in over the coming years, but by 2012, 75% of each car manufacturer’s new registrations have to comply with the level or face punitive fines.
With the weight saving possible, stylists no longer have to feel guilty about selecting large wheels as forging minimises the engineering compromises,” claims Yates, adding, “Reducing the unsprung wheel weight can improve vehicle dynamics while reducing wheel and tire inertia improves fuel economy. Our analysis shows an optimized forged, as opposed to cast or two-piece alloy wheel, can actually save up to 39kg per car.” (Tyres & Accessories)
Caption:
The principle of rotary inertia means making the rim of the wheel as light as possible has a fuel saving effect.
