Alcoa Wheel Products is now the standard supplier of forged aluminum truck wheels for Volvo Trucks North America.
Alcoa has been working with Jay Leno’s Big Dog Garage and General Motors Advanced Design to provide structural engineering expertise, spaceframe technology and high-performance forged aluminum wheels for Mr. Leno’s EcoJet, introduced this week at SEMA in Las Vegas.
Alcoa Wheel Products highlighted its 14-inch wide based aluminum wheel which at only 71 lbs. provides significant weight savings while still delivering a maximum load rating of 12,800-lbs. A set of 14-inch wheels used in conjunction with super-single tires can save over 300 lbs per axle as compared to dualed steel wheels and tires, thus providing more than 1200 lbs in weight savings. Through the use of these wheel and tire combinations fleets have experienced fuel savings in the range of 3 to 7 percent.
“We are extremely pleased that our position with Volvo has developed to the point that we are now their standard aluminum wheel supplier and we look forward to our ongoing business relationship,” said Tim Myers, Alcoa Wheel Products Vice President and General Manager for Commercial Vehicle Wheels.
Benefits of the Alcoa 14-inch wide based wheel include:
— Lighter weight wheels
— 3 to 7 percent fuel savings possible
— Easier maintenance with fewer wheels and no inside duals
— Requires lower PSI for better pavement life, ride comfort and stability
— 4 drive/trailer wheels versus 8 drive/trailer wheels
— No inner duals to check proper air inflation
— Valve stems easily accessible without inner duals
— Visual identification of under inflation easier without inner duals
— Better accessibility to vehicle for inspection
— Better air flow across hub and brake assembly reducing heat
For more information on Alcoa 14-inch wide base wheels or Alcoa Wheel Products, call 1-800-242-9898 or visit www.alcoawheels.com.
About Alcoa Wheel Products
Alcoa Wheel Products is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, and employs more than 2,000 associates in seven locations globally. The Alcoa business unit manufactures cast and forged aluminum wheels for the heavy truck, automotive, and motorcycle industries.
About Alcoa
Alcoa (NYSE:AA) is the world’s leading producer and manager of primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum and alumina facilities, and is active in all major aspects of the industry. Alcoa serves the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial transportation and industrial markets, bringing design, engineering, production and other capabilities of Alcoa’s businesses to customers. In addition to aluminum products and components, Alcoa also markets consumer brands including Reynolds Wrap(R) foils and plastic wraps, Alcoa(R) wheels, and Baco(R) household wraps. Among its other businesses are vinyl siding, closures, fastening systems, precision castings, and electrical distribution systems for cars and trucks. The company has 129,000 employees in 42 countries and has been named one of the top three most sustainable corporations in the world at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. More information can be found at www.alcoa.com.