DETROIT, Nov.
18, 2009 – The North American steel industry and
AISI’s Steel Market Development Institute have a reason to
celebrate, as the 2010 Ford Fusion and Fusion hybrid, which feature a
number of advanced high-strength steel technologies, were selected as
Motor Trend Car of the Year. The
announcement was made during a ceremony at the Ford World Headquarters
in Dearborn,
Mich.
The Ford Fusion and Fusion Hybrid feature a number of advanced steel
technologies, including: a lightweight high-strength steel body
structure for added side and frontal impact protection; dual-phase
high-strength steel rails; side intrusion beams; and tailor-welded
B-pillars between the front and rear door frames, which help prevent
intrusion into the passenger compartment.
“Lightweight advanced and
ultra high-strength steels provide automakers with a cost-effective
solution to meet new market demands for safety, fuel economy and
emissions standards,” said Ron Krupitzer, vice president of
automotive applications for AISI’s Steel Market Development
Institute. “Ford’s use of new high-strength steels in the
Fusion has resulted in a vehicle that is stylish, safe and
efficient.”
The Motor Trend Car
of the Year award recognizes a vehicle that has been newly
introduced or substantially redesigned for the 2010 model year.
Candidates are evaluated by Motor Trend
magazine editors on six different criteria, including design,
engineering, efficiency, safety, value and how well the vehicle fulfills
its intended function.
To learn more about AISI’s
Steel Market Development Institute and advanced and ultra high-strength
steel, visit www.autosteel.org.
AISI serves as the voice of the
North American steel industry in the public policy arena and through its
business unit, SMDI, conducts research with its member companies in
partnership with its customers to advance the use of steel in the
marketplace.
The Automotive Applications Council is a part of
AISI’s Steel Market Development Institute. The council
focuses on advancing the use of steel in the highly competitive
automotive market. For more news or information, visit www.autosteel.org.
American Iron and Steel Institute / Automotive Applications
Committee:
- ArcelorMittal Dofasco
- ArcelorMittal USA
- Nucor Corporation
- Severstal North America, Inc.
- United States Steel Corporation
