Aluminum Applications in Passenger Vehicles to See Small Peak in 2019, SMM Predicts

Published: Jun 23, 2017 12:11

Save

Despite lighter car trend, SMM’s survey of nearly 20 carmakers, including BMW, Audi, SAIC Motor, found aluminum applications are not extensive in passenger vehicles, due mainly to high costs.

SHANGHAI, Jun. 23 (SMM) –Despite lighter car trend, SMM’s survey of nearly 20 carmakers, including BMW, Audi, SAIC Motor, found aluminum applications are not extensive in passenger vehicles, due mainly to high costs.

Most of those surveyed still prefer high-strength steel over aluminum.

Kobe Steel: Automotive Aluminum Consumption to Skyrocket 6-7 Folds by 2025

Aluminum structural parts are already widely used in cars. To reduce vehicle weight, aluminum will be applied mainly in covering parts in the future. Aluminum covering parts are expensive at present, so they are used mainly in high-end Sino-foreign brand cars, i.e. Audi, Land Rover.

Negative Factors Simmering behind Aluminum Rally, SMM Warns

However, aluminum use in passenger vehicles will see a small peak by 2019 as China will require all light vehicles to adhere to tougher new "China VI" emission standards by 2020, SMM expects.

For news cooperation, please contact us by email: sallyzhang@smm.cn or service.en@smm.cn.

automotive aluminum demand

Data Source Statement: Except for publicly available information, all other data are processed by SMM based on publicly available information, market communication, and relying on SMM‘s internal database model. They are for reference only and do not constitute decision-making recommendations.

For any inquiries or to learn more information, please contact: lemonzhao@smm.cn

For more information on how to access our research reports, please contact:service.en@smm.cn

Related News

5 hours ago

Indonesia Revokes Illegal Mining Permits in Protected Forests, Orders Swift Action

[SMM Aluminum Express News] President Prabowo Subianto has ordered Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia to immediately revoke all illegal mining permits (IUP). The directive was given during a Cabinet Working Meeting at the State Palace on Wednesday, April 8, 2026. Prabowo instructed Bahlil to act swiftly on reports of hundreds of unclear or illegal mining permits operating inside protected forests. He also asked Forestry Minister Raja Juli Anthoni about the current condition of protected forests and emphasized the need for immediate action on illegal IUPs found in the field.

5 hours ago

SHFE Cast Aluminum Alloy Warrants Down by 121 mt on April 8

[SMM Update] SHFE data showed that on April 8, the total registered cast aluminum alloy warrants stood at 31,062 mt, a decrease of 121 mt from the previous trading day. Specifically, the total registered volume in Shanghai was 1,912 mt (unchanged), Guangdong 12,358 mt (unchanged), Jiangsu 3,541 mt (down 61 mt), Zhejiang 8,411 mt (down 60 mt), Chongqing 3,634 mt (unchanged), and Sichuan 1,206 mt (unchanged).

5 hours ago

Auto Parts Imports Drop 5.4% YoY to $1.47B in Feb, CAAM Reports

[CAAM: Import Value of Auto Parts Reached $1.47 Billion in February, Down 5.4% YoY] According to data from the General Administration of Customs compiled by CAAM, in February 2026, the import value of auto parts reached $1.47 billion, down 20.8% MoM and 5.4% YoY. From January to February 2026, the import value of auto parts was $3.32 billion, up 7.1% YoY.

5 hours ago