Market development lobby push for rejuvenation of steel wheels

On 2 August the Steel Market Development Institute’s (SMDI) Wheels Task Force announced plans to begin a lightweight high-strength steel wheel development project, with a “cost-effective design and manufacturing” process. As well as developing the next generation of steel wheel products, it appears that the group also wants to rejuvenate the OE steel wheel market that has faced strong competition from cast and forged aluminium alternatives in recent years. Project results are expected in the Autumn.

“This project is a great opportunity to demonstrate the benefits of steel wheels, including the ability to help lightweight a vehicle beyond its structure,” Jackie Stachowski, technical service metallurgist, for Nucor Corporation and chair of the Wheels Task Force, said. “Steel has made progress in recent years in the automotive wheels market. With the advantage of the new lightweight high-strength steels, we hope to develop a steel wheel that automakers and consumers will find even more competitive in terms of weight, cost and design, which we anticipate will further increase the market share of steel wheels.”

The Wheels Task Force – which is comprised of executives in the steel, automotive and wheel markets – will explore opportunities to significantly reduce weight and cost when compared to traditional steel and cast aluminum designs. According to Stachowski, this project will provide the lightest weight steel wheel structure design that will be complemented with state-of-the-art styling. Project results are expected to be announced in the fall.

The Steel Market Development Institute (SMDI), a business unit of the American Iron and Steel Institute, aims to grow and maintain the use of steel through strategies that promote “cost-effective solutions in the automotive, construction and container markets, as well as for new-growth opportunities in emerging steel markets.”

SMDI’s Steel Wheel Task Force members include wheel makers such as Accuride Corporation, Hayes Lemmerz International, Maxion-Fumagalli Wheels and Lacks Wheel Trim Systems as well as OEMs Chrysler Group LLC, Ford Motor Company, General Motors Company.

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