ATLANTA, Oct. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Novelis Inc. (NYSE: NVL)
(TSX: NVL) announced today that it has been selected by Jaguar Cars Limited as
the sole supplier of aluminum sheet for the new Jaguar XK sports car to be
launched in early 2006. The all-new XK features an advanced aluminum body
structure constructed with the aid of technology from Novelis.
Each Jaguar XK will contain some 330 lbs (150 kg) of Novelis aluminum
sheet, helping to deliver a vehicle with excellent stiffness and rigidity
while minimizing weight. The new XK provides significant improvements in
performance, dynamics, safety and fuel economy. The power-to-weight ratio of
the new car is superior to its predecessor despite the addition of advanced
electronics and other luxury features.
The XK program continues the close cooperation between Novelis and Jaguar,
which began with development of the aluminum-bodied Jaguar XJ sedan, launched
in 2002.
"We were delighted when Jaguar announced that aluminum would be part of
its lightweight materials technology strategy, which will be a hallmark of
Jaguar's performance cars in the future," said Brian Sturgell, president and
CEO of Novelis. "We are proud to support the lightweighting strategy and to
supply all of the aluminum sheet for both the XJ and now the XK."
Novelis automotive specialists worked alongside Jaguar engineers and
designers to provide expertise in materials technology from initial design of
the new XK, through prototype development, right up to vehicle manufacturing.
High-strength aluminum sheet from Novelis will be used for the outer skin of
the new car as well as complex structural parts. The company's Aluminum
Vehicle Technology (AVT) will also be a feature of the production of the new
XK, as it is for the XJ. The major innovation of the system is the adhesive
bonding of sheet panels in combination with self-piercing rivets.
Novelis is the world's leading supplier of aluminum automotive sheet.
Material for Jaguar is produced through the company's European rolling system.
Hot-rolled coils from the Norf rolling complex at Neuss, Germany, and the
Novelis facility in Sierre, Switzerland, are further processed at the
company's specially-equipped operations in Sierre and Nachterstedt, Germany.
As part of Novelis' double-sourcing strategy, the material can be processed at
either of these plants, given a special heat and surface treatment and cut to
the customer's required shape - be it the traditional rectangular and curved
sheet or more complex laser-cut shapes. The Nachterstedt plant features a
euro 15 million (US$18 million) laser blanking centre and Novelis intends to
expand the Sierre plant with a similar centre by mid 2006.
Novelis also provides closed-loop recycling for Jaguar and will take the
aluminum off-cuts from XK production back to its Warrington (UK) recycling
centre, as it does currently for the XJ. As part of a shared drive towards
sustainability by Jaguar and Novelis, the metal is recycled directly into new
automotive sheet, thus saving resources and up to 95% of energy that would be
required to produce primary aluminum.
Novelis, which was spun-off by Alcan on January 6, 2005, is the global
leader in aluminum rolled products and aluminum can recycling. The Company has
36 operating facilities in 11 countries and more than 13,000 dedicated
employees. Novelis has the unparalleled capability to provide its customers
with a regional supply of high-end rolled aluminum products throughout Asia,
Europe, North America, and South America. Through its advanced production
capabilities, the Company supplies aluminum sheet and foil to the automotive
and transportation, beverage and food packaging, construction and industrial,
and printing markets. For more information on Novelis, visit http://www.novelis.com.
For more information on the new Jaguar XK, please visit
http://media.jaguar.com
SOURCE Novelis Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.novelis.com
http://media.jaguar.com
CONTACT:
Europe, John Gardner, + 41 44 386 2287, or
john.gardner@novelis.com, or Corporate, Charles Belbin,
+1-404-814-4260, or charles.belbin@novelis.com, both of Novelis
Inc.
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