TROY, MI, Jan. 30, 2015 /CNW/ - Magna International Inc.
has completed validation testing on the multi-material lightweight
vehicle (MMLV) concept it developed in cooperation with Ford Motor
Co. and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), and the tests show
that the MMLV design offers clear advantages in terms of global
warming potential and the use of energy.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150129/172328)
Magna recently co-presented the test results with Ford at the
SAE 2015 Government/Industry Meeting in Washington, D.C. As part of the presentation,
results of a life cycle assessment (LCA) study were disclosed, in
which the lightweight auto parts of the MMLV vehicle design were
compared to the conventional auto parts of the baseline 2013 Ford
Fusion.
The LCA study predicts that the cradle-to-grave total net
savings of the MMLV (in percentage basis), relative to the
cradle-to-grave LCA of the 2013 Fusion, resulted in significant
environmental benefits of 16% improvement in global warming
potential and 16% improvement in total primary energy (fuel usage
plus the energy needed to produce and recycle materials).
"The MMLV project shows the potential benefits of combining
lightweight vehicle technologies and a downsized, high-output
engine to reduce greenhouse gases and total energy," said
Swamy Kotagiri, Magna's Chief
Technical Officer. "While this is a research prototype, the MMLV
points the way to a more sustainable future. We at Magna are
working diligently to make these lightweight technologies
affordable for high volume production."
The LCA was conducted per the appropriate ISO standards and with
guidance from the Canadian Standards Association, and was performed
by an outside, third-party consultant separate from Magna and
Ford.
Magna will additionally present a series of white papers at SAE
World Congress, held this April 21-23
in Detroit. These papers will
provide additional details on the LCA and other tests which were
conducted as part of the MMLV project and how the results were
achieved.
The MMLV concept is based on the production version of a 2013
Ford Fusion and defines a new aluminum-intensive passenger-car
structure. The concept, which also makes use of carbon fiber,
magnesium and titanium, reduces the weight of the Fusion to that of
a 2013 Ford Fiesta, making the weight of a CD segment family sedan
approximately equal to that of a subcompact B-car – two vehicle
segments lighter – without compromising performance or occupant
safety.
The project includes engineering, prototype vehicle build and
selected validation testing associated with a new
aluminum-intensive passenger vehicle design architecture,
facilitating an extensive use of advanced lightweight and
high-strength materials, resulting in environmental and
fuel-economy benefits.
About Magna International
We are a leading global
automotive supplier with 313 manufacturing operations and 84
product development, engineering and sales centres in 28 countries.
We have approximately 131,000 employees focused on delivering
superior value to our customers through innovative processes and
World Class Manufacturing. Our product capabilities include
producing body, chassis, interior, exterior, seating, powertrain,
electronic, vision, closure and roof systems and modules, as well
as complete vehicle engineering and contract manufacturing. Our
common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (MG) and the New
York Stock Exchange (MGA). For further information about Magna,
visit our website at www.magna.com.
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SOURCE Magna International Inc.