Automotive Technology breakthrough

Alcoa Mill Products, Pittsburgh (www.alcoa.com), had a role in the commercialization of a new GM forming process for the aluminum body and closure panels featured on the 2004 Chevy Malibu Maxx's lift gate. The gate is produced by GM's Quick Plastic Forming (QPF) process. Alcoa has been collaborating with GM on QPF for three years. The advanced forming process lets the company extend complex styling features to high-volume vehicles. Previously, these features were limited to concept and low-volume niche cars.