Steel Makes Strong Cars
We know you love cars. We love cars too. Beyond just driving them, we are curious how they are made. Each year we attend the Chicago Auto Show and see all the new advancements. The designs make us ooh and ahh, but we tend to gloss over the frame. The crowd is most interested on the engine performance and the technological innovations rather than the materials. This year our focus is on the most versatile material of all: Steel.
Steel is a material that you know as strong and durable. In Chicago, the first skyscraper was built in 1885 using structural steel. While steel is sturdy, yes they build with it, but you are left wondering why you want it in your cars. The answer is simple. Steel is no longer refined in one way. There are over 200 grades of steel with a wide variety of applications.
Why Steel Matters
So why does #SteelMatter? You can follow along with the hashtag to learn more about steel in the automotive industry during February 8th. The shift in the past few years has been to use Advanced High-Strength Steel (AHSS) to increase structural integrity while maintaining fuel efficiency and weight. When automakers design cars to fit your lifestyle, they need a material that will allow them to create curves and sleek designs. Steel is the backbone that allows them to meet safety standards and reduce cost to the consumer. By using AHSS, they are effectively saving you money in the long term.
The easy way to understand is that overall steel intensive vehicles save you money. You are saving money up front and down the road. The cost of an aluminum intensive vehicle is higher because the material costs more to manufacture. While steel intensive vehicles do not cost as much to fabricate and with a gain in performance as lighter cars. As a consumer you will save on insurance and repair costs. When it comes to recycling, steel is 100% recyclable with no loss of integrity. So, you can reuse AHSS indefinitely with a smaller carbon footprint at a lower weight.
How We Use Steel To Innovate
Across the board AHSS has improved roof strength, lowered greenhouse gas emissions, and boosted fuel efficiency. All with the design to absorb energy during a crash. With a mind towards passenger safety, AHSS allows for specific responses to impacts. So instead of having the engine impact with the driver and passenger, the steel will bend and the engine will end up below the front seats. The properties of AHSS grades allow for manufacturers to design lower impact crashes. With the advancement of our materials, we can create safer vehicles that are designed to crash with the least amount of danger to the passengers.
So, I’ve geeked out on steel. I am excited to see the new lineups. As you know we favor Nissans, so I am interested to learn more about their newest crossover SUV the Kicks. As always we want to ride the Jeep Test Track. Jeep actually created a super reinforced bumper using steel for extra towing power on their Wrangler. Plus I can never get enough of the newest trucks. Trucks tend to utilize AHSS because they need to be stronger and tougher. You can win tickets to the Chicago Auto Show by entering below. 10 pairs of tickets are being given away as well as the grand prize of $100 gift card.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Contest rules: Entries must be completed by Feb 8th, 2018. No purchase necessary; contest open only to US residents and subject to the laws of Illinois. Winners will be notified by email by Feb. 10th, 2018. Winners MUST pick up tickets in person at the Chicago Auto Show, McCormick Place between Feb. 10, 2018, and Feb. 19, 2018. Winners may be asked to provide identification to receive their prize. Prize value $26 per prize, not exchangeable for cash or other items. Grand prize value is $126. A total of 10 pairs of tickets will be awarded and a total of 1 grand prize will be awarded. The 2018 Chicago Auto Show runs from February 10-February 18, 2018 at McCormick Place. Tickets are $13 for adults, $7 for seniors and children over 7; children 6 and under are free. Disclosure: This post is part of a program sponsored by the Chicago Auto Show and the Steel Market Development Institiute.
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