Steel Mills
Ford Selects ArcelorMittal AHSS for 2021 Bronco
Written by Sandy Williams
October 15, 2020
Ford has selected ArcelorMittal and its Fortiform 980 GI steel as its sole source of third-generation advanced high-strength steel for use in the 2021 Ford Bronco. The steel is produced at AM/NS Calvert and is designed for automotive application due to its strength and formability.
“Ford called us to see if we could develop this specific type of steel. We were actually already in the development phase, so we discussed the opportunities as well as where they could utilize this material and for which vehicle, “said Michael Lizak, global technology coordinator for Ford at Automotive Product Applications R&D. “Ford’s chief engineer gave us a goal to decrease the total vehicle weight by 10%. In terms of safety, we selected a higher strength material, which gives Ford a huge safety advantage.”
Ford prioritized sourcing a steel that has an excellent balance of strength and ductility with superior welding capability. Fortiform 980 GI out-performed the competition in a welding study. The high-strength steel is also a lower gauge than steels used in the prior Bronco model, which enables weight savings with complex shapes through better formability.
ArcelorMittal R&D and Ford’s design and welding experts worked closely on the project along with the joint venture partners at AM/NS Calvert.
“From a process perspective, because this was a coated product, we enlisted the coating experts on my team along with the product design experts,” said Jayanth Chintamani, director, automotive product research, ArcelorMittal R&D. “We then made sure that the target-critical processing parameters during various stages of industrial manufacturing were met with support from process experts at R&D as well.”
The steel is made on the upgraded line at AM/NS Calvert. “By designing the product at R&D and bringing it to Calvert for manufacturing, we are adding value to Calvert JV operations and ArcelorMittal at large,” added Jayanth.
The 2021 Ford Bronco will begin production in February and be available at dealers in Q2 2021. As the first new model of the Bronco in 50 years, Ford already has 150,000 pre-orders.
Sandy Williams
Read more from Sandy WilliamsLatest in Steel Mills
AISI: Weekly raw steel output ticks higher
The volume of raw steel produced by US mills slightly increased last week, according to American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) data. Last week’s production rate represents the second-highest level recorded this year.
Opening briefs filed in Nippon/USS lawsuit vs. US government
Together, Nippon Steel, Nippon Steel North America, and U.S. Steel announced the filing of their opening brief in their litigation to invalidate the government’s decision to block their announced merger. The brief lays out “how President Biden made a predetermined decision for political reasons, not national security, causing CFIUS to engage in a sham review […]
Cliffs blames muted auto demand for steep losses in 2024
Muted demand from the auto industry took a particular toll later in the year.
U.S. Steel losses widen, better times seen as BR2 ramp-up continues
U.S. Steel’s losses widened in the fourth quarter on lower steel prices, weaker demand, and startup costs relating to the expansion of its Big River Steel EAF sheet mill in Arkansas. But the Pittsburgh-based steelmaker said it expected results to improve in 2025 as Big River 2 – the project to double capacity at the Osceola, Ark., mill - gains steam.
Nucor set to soon bring plenty of new capacity online
The projects collectively represent ~65% of Nucor’s capital expenditures budget for this year.