The Reuterses are talking all 'bout a revolution. Not televised. Motorized. Except for one thing. The revolution's gonna be pricey. Despite aluminum's inherent advantages in terms of adding lightness, the cost structure ain't exactly simplicated when it comes to using the metal over steel. At $2,500 bucks per metric ton, parts still cost anywhere from 20 to 50% more than their steel equivalents. People who know say that cost needs to drop at the minimum to twice the price of steel before usage in proletarian conveyances becomes commonplace.
Car market seen favouring steel over aluminium [Reuters]
Related:
The Structural Aluminum Repair Conundrum [Internal]