Excellence Award Presented to Chevrolet Volt Team for AHSS Use
05/18/2012 - The Automotive Applications Council of the Steel Market Development Institute honored General Motors’ Chevrolet Volt design and engineering team with its annual Automotive Excellence Award. The team was recognized during the Great Designs in Steel seminar for its efficient and effective use of advanced high-strength steel (AHSS) in the development of the Volt’s upper- and lower-body structures.
The Automotive Applications Council of the Steel Market Development Institute honored General Motors’ Chevrolet Volt design and engineering team with its annual Automotive Excellence Award. The team was recognized during the 11th Annual Great Designs in Steel (GDIS) seminar in Livonia, Mich., for its efficient and effective use of advanced high-strength steel (AHSS) in the development of the Volt’s upper- and lower-body structures.
Steve McCallum, upper structure lead engineer, and Monte Taylor, lower structure lead engineer, received the award on behalf of GM. They presented the award-winning presentation titled “Chevrolet Volt Body-In-White Design Solution Including Energy Storage Package Considerations” at last year’s seminar.
According to the presentation, the Volt’s design implemented GM’s latest strategies for steel selection and geometry. As a result, the design incorporates an increased use of AHSS. Delivering a significant mass reduction from the baseline design, the structure and battery pack tray achieve or exceed all performance requirements.
“The Volt’s design achieves segment-leading safety performance by using steel in more than 70% of its body structure,” said Ron Krupitzer, Vice President, Automotive Market for SMDI. “GM’s use of advanced steel technologies on the ground-breaking Volt is an excellent example of how steel can transform the future of the auto industry.”
The Automotive Excellence Award recognizes individuals or teams from automakers, suppliers, or the academic community who embrace innovation and make significant contributions to the advancement of steel in the automotive marketplace. Award winners are chosen from presentations given at the previous year’s GDIS seminar. Candidates are rated in several categories, including implementation in production; overall contribution to the advancement of steel; challenges and benefits associated with cost, mass reduction, and performance; replacement of competitive materials; and structural performance and efficiency.
The Steel Market Development Institute (SMDI), a business unit of the American Iron and Steel Institute, grows and maintains 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 Automotive Applications Council Investors are AK Steel Corp., ArcelorMittal Dofasco, ArcelorMittal USA LLC, Nucor Corp., Severstal North America Inc., ThyssenKrupp Steel USA, LLC, and United States Steel Corp.
