JK all aluminium

[Jimmyb]

You know how the successor to the JK Wrangler was supposed to be all aluminium, to save weight and help fuel economy.

Not so, apparently. FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne has expressed concerns about the process, and indicted that the company is considering its options.

In an interview with the Detroit News, Mr Marchionne was quoted as saying ‘Because of the difference in cost, not just the new material but the actual assembly process, I think we can do almost as well without doing it all-aluminium’.

Weight savings could still be made through the use of an aluminium bonnet and doors, and a lighter hydroformed frame.

The concerns that Mr Marchionne is hinting at have been experienced in real life by Ford in making its new, all aluminium F150. Those problems having included tearing of body panels during stamping, which has resulted in unexpected costs and delays in production for the auto maker.

And what about Toledo? The move to aluminium was cited as one of the reasons for possibly abandoning the iconic home of the Wrangler. Well, workers at the plant needn’t worry — the company is considering it and another site for making the Wrangler, and Mr Marchionne has said that all workers would keep their jobs, no matter where the Wrangler ends up.



Word by: Charles Kooij

[SeaComms]

A lighter frame?

[chris0375]

I thought the frame was already hydroformed.