Alcoa Salutes Tesla on the Launch of All-Aluminum
Model S
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Alcoa
(NYSE: AA) today saluted Tesla Motors on the
introduction of the Tesla Model S electric vehicle, an
all-aluminum premium sedan that accelerates from 0 to 60 miles
per hour in 5.6 seconds, with zero tailpipe emissions.
The body of Model S is a state-of-the-art, aluminum-intensive
design. Weight-saving benefits make aluminum a natural choice.
Stamped sheets of aluminum, extrusions, and castings are
expertly joined for rigidity and strength. A rigid and strong
structure not only protects passengers, but also contributes to
overall maneuverability behind the wheel.
According to a Tesla blog post (
http://www.teslamotors.com/blog) by George Blankenship,
Tesla Motors Vice President, Worldwide Sales and Ownership
Experience, "Aluminum reduces the overall weight of Model S to
help maximize efficiency and range… Your Model S actually
starts as a huge aluminum coil that weighs up to 20,000
pounds." The aluminum is used to form the structural aspects of
the car and the outer panels, doors, hoods and trunk.
Practically all visible metal on Model S is aluminum.
"Tesla's Model S is a marvel in engineering, design and, quite
frankly, entrepreneurship," said Mark Vrablec, President of
Alcoa Aerospace, Transportation and Industrial Products, part
of Alcoa's Global Rolled Products group. "The entire Tesla team
is to be congratulated on developing the next phase in driving
and then making it a reality."
Model S was delivered to first customers today. Tesla will be
ramping up production throughout 2012 and plans to deliver
5,000 vehicles by year end. Reservations for the premium
electric sedan currently exceed 10,000 units.
About Alcoa
Alcoa is the world's leading producer of primary and fabricated
aluminum, as well as the world's largest miner of bauxite and
refiner of alumina. In addition to inventing the modern-day
aluminum industry, Alcoa innovation has been behind major
milestones in the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building
and construction, commercial transportation, consumer
electronics and industrial markets over the past 120 years.
Among the solutions Alcoa markets are flat-rolled products,
hard alloy extrusions, and forgings, as well as Alcoa® wheels,
fastening systems, precision and investment castings, and
building systems in addition to its expertise in other light
metals such as titanium and nickel-based super alloys.
Sustainability is an integral part of Alcoa's operating
practices and the product design and engineering it provides to
customers. Alcoa has been a member of the Dow Jones
Sustainability Index for 10 consecutive years and approximately
75 percent of all of the aluminum ever produced since 1888 is
still in active use today. Alcoa employs approximately 61,000
people in 31 countries across the world. More information can
be found at
www.alcoa.com.
Alcoa today saluted Tesla Motors on the introduction of
the Tesla Model S electric vehicle, an all-aluminum premium
sedan that accelerates from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 5.6
seconds, with zero tailpipe emissions. Aluminum reduces the
overall weight of Model S to safely maximize efficiency and
range. Practically all visible metal on Model S is
aluminum.