Bodybuilding and chassis integration

Automakers are becoming more open to material mixing and matching for bodies, and they see great potential in further electronic chassis systems integration.

Aluminum has transformed chassis design over the past 20 years. Its contribution to weight reduction of suspension components to significantly enhance vehicle dynamic performance is now the norm, and there is every sign that aluminum's automotive influence will continue to grow.

However, not every manufacturer agrees on what that growth path should be. Both Audi and Jaguar have elected to build all-aluminum-bodied cars, while BMW has taken a median course, using aluminum for chassis components but joining aluminum (front end) and steel (passenger compartment) for the body shell where it feels it is appropriate, particularly to obtain the 50:50 weight balance that it regards as ideal to help achieve the optimum handling balance for its cars.