Constellium N.V., Amsterdam, announces that it supplies aluminum automotive body sheet and crash management systems for the new BMW 5 Series, including its hybrid and touring models. The latest edition of the iconic BMW 5 Series saves 137 pounds (62 kg) compared to the previous model, thanks to lightweight materials such as aluminum.
Constellium is the primary supplier of aluminum automotive body sheet for the BMW 5 Series, providing the coils for the inner and outer applications such as doors, roofs, fenders, decklids, and structural parts. In addition, Constellium designed and produces the rear Crash Management System, including an integrated holder for the exhaust system.
For the hood outer panel and fenders, Constellium provides Surfalex, an alloy with high surface quality and specific hemming and roping properties, which allow sporty designs that are sharp, sleek, and striking.
For the inner hood, the superior formability and mechanical resistance of its aluminum alloy materials enable efficient processing of complex shapes.
“BMW is a great customer to work with, as they are looking for innovative aluminum solutions for automotive body sheets for their new models. We are proud to supply the BMW 5 Series not only for closures, but also for structural inner parts and reinforcement applications requiring specific crash and mechanical performance, such as those of Securalex HS,” said Dieter Höll, Sales & Marketing Director Automotive & Specialties.
Aluminum is the ideal material for Crash Management Systems because it provides superior energy absorption to help protect vehicle occupants in the event of a collision. It also has crash behavior that helps reduce damage to the vehicle and therefore minimizes repair costs. The bumper beam and crash boxes are extruded components, allowing Constellium to design a product that is not only lightweight, but also engineered to customer specifications in terms of size, shape, package space, and strength.
“Constellium is a longtime supplier to BMW, and it is an honor to contribute to the redefined Ultimate Driving Machine,” said Lionel Chapis, Constellium’s Managing Director for Automotive Structures. “The new BMW 5 Series features our most advanced rear crash management system with extrusions made of Constellium’s patented high-strength 6000-series crushable alloys.”
Constellium also announces the grand opening of its new plant in White, Georgia, dedicated to the production of advanced aluminum automotive structural components and crash management systems. The 135,000 sq. ft. facility is strategically located to supply automakers in the Southeast United States, and may be expanded to 220,000 sq. ft. to meet customers’ supply needs in the future. Constellium expects to have 150 employees in White by 2019.
