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Asian automakers still reluctant to use more aluminum

There's a logical progression of technology in the auto industry. We've seen it with things like carbon-ceramic brakes, which use to be the sole domain of six-figure sports cars, where they often cost as much as an entry level Toyota Corolla. Now, you can get them on a BMW M3 (they're still pricey, at $8,150). Who knows, maybe in the next four a five years, they'll be available on something like a muscle car or hot hatchback. Aluminum has had a similar progression, although it's further along, moving from the realm of Audi and Jaguar luxury sedans to Ford's most important product, the F-150. With the stuff set to arrive in such a big way on the market, we should logically expect an all-aluminum Toyota Camry or Honda Accord soon, right? Um, wrong. Reuters has a great report on what's keeping Asian manufacturers away from aluminum, and it demonstrates yet another stark philosophical difference between automakers in the east and those in the west. Of course, there's a pricing argument at play. But it's more than just the cost of aluminum sheet (shown above) versus steel. Manufacturing an aluminum car requires extensive retooling of existing factories, not to mention new relationships with suppliers and other logistical and financial nightmares. Factor that in with what Reuters calls Asian automaker's preference towards "evolutionary upgrades," and the case for an all-aluminum Accord is a difficult one. Instead, manufacturers in the east are focusing on developing even stronger steel as a means of trimming fat, although analysts question how long that practice can continue. Jeff Wang, the automotive sales director for aluminum supplier Novelis, predicts that we'll see a bump in aluminum usage from Japanese and Korean brands in the next two to three years, and that it will be driven by an influx of aluminum-based vehicles from western automakers into China. Only time will tell if he's proven right. News Source: ReutersImage Credit: Sean Gallup / Getty Images Plants/Manufacturing Honda Hyundai Mazda Nissan Toyota Technology aluminum

Krafcik says US Gov. shutdown is slowing Oct. auto sales

The government shutdown is eroding consumer confidence in the auto market, says John Krafcik, CEO of Hyundai's US sales unit, and could lower October sales by as much as 10 percent, Automotive News reports. "It's that anxiety that keeps customers, potential buyers, on the sidelines when making a big purchase like an automobile," Krafcik says, adding that industry sales could be off by five to 10 percent in October compared to September.
The fourth quarter, which started October 1, usually consists of increased auto sales as dealerships clear their lots to make room for the next year's models. Leading up to the fourth quarter this year, the auto industry was doing well in the fragile, recovering US economy, although September deliveries decreased by 4.2 percent, due in part to this year's Labor Day sales being recorded for August.
To help its customers, Hyundai announced it is deferring new-car loan and lease payments for furloughed federal workers until they're called back to work and also offering them a three-month payment deferral if they buy a new Hyundai in October. "We have already had requests from over a thousand people to have their payments deferred," Krafcik says.

Vegas dealer sets world record with 218-Hyundai parade

How many Hyundais would you need to gather in one parade to set a world record? 218, it turns out. That's how many of the Korean automobiles gathered for a recent procession which has now been certified by Guinness as a world record. The event was orchestrated by Henderson Hyundai just outside of Las Vegas, NV, raising $4,000 for the STOP DUI campaign. Though the parade was actually held back in December as part of National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, it was just verified by Guinness now, with each of the 218 motorists to receive a certificate of participation at a celebratory event at the dealership this coming Saturday. The record had been previously set by Lithuanian business consulting firm UAB SDG. Of course that's just the record for Hyundais specifically. Guinness also keeps records of other brands and vehicle types as well. Ram, for example, set the record for the most pickups in a parade this past April at 451, while a procession of 964 Ferraris set another record at Silverstone in 2012. Henderson Hyundai Superstore In Nevada Sets A New Guinness World Record For The Largest Parade Of Hyundai Cars LAS VEGAS, June 22, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Henderson Hyundai Superstore, the number one rated Nevada Hyundai dealer three years in a row by DealerRater, announced today that it has been awarded a Guinness World Record for coordinating the largest parade of Hyundai cars ever. In honor of National Impaired Driving Prevention Month last December, Henderson Hyundai Superstore called on local Hyundai owners to participate in its attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the world's largest parade of Hyundai cars and pledged to make a donation for each participating vehicle to STOP DUI, a local organization dedicated to bringing awareness to the consequences of intoxicated driving. With a total of 218 Hyundai cars participating in the parade and a donation of $4,000 to STOP DUI, they officially set the world record previously held by UAB SDG, a business consulting firm based in Kaunas, Lithuania. "Our goal was to give our clients and community members an opportunity to actively participate in bringing awareness to a problem that is devastating families in our area," said Frank Maione, owner of Henderson Hyundai Superstore.