SUMMARY:
2010 Lincoln MKT features the industry’s first combined use of light-weight magnesium and
aluminum in the liftgate of a vehicle produced in North America
The use of advanced light-weight materials such as magnesium and aluminum, and the
light-weighting of heavier high- strength steels offers automakers structural strength that meet
safety requirements while helping to improve fuel economy
A recent study shows auto industry insiders expect vehicle weight reduction to account for up
to 50 percent of future fuel economy improvements
CONTEXT / BACKGROUND:
Over the next decade, Ford Motor Company is planning vehicle weight reductions ranging from 250
to 750 pounds that will help it meet stringent fuel economy targets without compromising vehicle
safety or durability. One of the ways Ford has reduced mass in its latest offerings is through the use
of light-weight materials such as aluminum and magnesium, and the light-weighting of heavier
materials such as ultra high strength boron steel.
QUOTES:
“The MKT’s liftgate is a breakthrough achieved by our scientific research team, product design
team and our supplier, who overcame significant technical challenges to develop it. The use of
magnesium and aluminum in the MKT marks a new direction for liftgates and closures in general.”
– Randy Frank,
Closures Chief Engineer, Ford Product Development
“Because it is cast instead of stamped, we are able to develop variable thicknesses. We did extensive
CAE analysis to see how the magnesium would functionally perform in a high impact event and
made structural improvements such ribbing for added strength.”
made structural improvements such ribbing for added strength.”
– Cindy Wetzel,
Design and Release Engineer of Liftgates, Ford Product Development
DETAILS:
Light-weight and down-gauged material applications help enable the use of smaller, more
fuel-efficient powertrains – such as Ford’s new EcoBoostTM V-6, which provides the power of a
normally-aspirated V-8 with V-6 fuel economy. Ford introduces EcoBoost on the Lincoln MKS
flagship this year, followed by the Ford Flex and other vehicles.
The MKS and Flex are just two of the many Ford products that get some of their core strength from
the use of down-gauged aluminum-coated boron steel – one of the strongest weld-able materials – in
the body structure.
The use of high-strength steel has helped Ford earn more U.S. government 5-star safety rated
vehicles than any other brand and more “Top Safety Picks” from the Insurance Institute for Highway
Safety than any other automaker.