Sep. 28, 2006 — Steel's continuing role as the number-one material for automotive design will be profiled in a segment of the new educational television series, "Pulse on America." The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) and its partner, New Line Media Solutions, announced that the segment—"The Future of Automotive Design"—will be airing on CNBC-TV affiliates nationwide.

AISI has introduced innovative steel technologies into vehicle design through different initiatives, including

• The ULSAB-Advanced Vehicle Concepts (ULSAB-AVC) program, which was a proactive, global steel-intensive initiative to respond to the automotive customer's need for affordable, fuel-efficient vehicle design.
• Project IMPACT (Improved Materials and Powertrain Architectures for 21st Century Trucks), which was conducted by the U.S. Department of Defense investment-in-partnership with AISI and Ford Motor Co. to develop the next generation of light- and medium-duty trucks. The project successfully reduced weight, enhanced performance, improved mobility and increased fuel economy of tactical trucks.
• Ongoing projects with AISI, the Auto/Steel Partnership, and the U.S. Department of Energy that explore the use of advanced high-strength steels for future FreedomCAR applications where weight reduction is a prime objective.

Despite intense material competition, steel content in an average 2005 light vehicle (passenger cars and light trucks) is 64%. The development and use of high-strength and advanced high-strength steels are preserving steel as the preferred choice against aluminum, composites, and cast iron competitors. Because these next-generation steels are lighter and stronger than their predecessors, they are being introduced into current market designs for body structures, closures, suspensions, crankshafts, steering knuckles, and other key components. Steel solutions for future vehicles have proven to be the most affordable year after year.

Produced by Platinum Television Group, "The Future of Automotive Design" will air on CNBC-TV affiliates nationwide.

AISI serves as the voice of the North American steel industry in the public policy arena and advances the case for steel in the marketplace as the preferred material of choice. AISI also plays a lead role in the development and application of new steels and steelmaking technology. AISI is comprised of 32 member companies, including integrated and electric furnace steelmakers, and 125 associate and affiliate members who are suppliers to or customers of the steel industry.

The Automotive Applications Committee (AAC), a subcommittee of AISI’s Market Development Committee, focuses on advancing the use of steel in the highly competitive automotive market. With offices and staff located in Detroit, cooperation between the automobile and steel industries has been key to its success. This industry cooperation resulted in the formation of the Auto/Steel Partnership, a consortium of DaimlerChrysler Corp., Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Corp. and the member companies of the Automotive Applications Committee:

• AK Steel Corp.
• Dofasco Inc.
• Mittal Steel USA
• Nucor Corp.
• Severstal North America Inc.
• United States Steel Corp.