DETROIT, Dec. 3, 2007 – Novelis Inc. has been selected by General Motors to supply aluminum sheet for the hoods and liftgates of the 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid and GMC Yukon Hybrid sport utility vehicles (SUVs). Novelis is the world's leading supplier of high-performance aluminum sheet for use in automotive applications.
The Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon, the world's only full-size hybrid SUVs, will use two-mode hybrid powertrain technology to deliver a 25 percent composite (city and highway mpg) fuel economy improvement, when combined with GM's Active Fuel Management.
The Tahoe Hybrid was named 2008 Green Car of the Year by Green Car Journal at last month's Los Angeles Auto Show.
The body of the hybrid vehicles is approximately 400 pounds lighter than a standard model, achieved in part through significant application of aluminum. The use of aluminum helped GM to offset the weight of the hybrid drive, battery pack and related hybrid hardware.
"These are the first aluminum sheet applications for Novelis on hybrid technology vehicles,” said Pat McNulty, Automotive Director for Novelis North America. “We expect aluminum's ability to reduce vehicle mass and offset the weight of alternative powertrain systems will make its use increasingly attractive to automakers.”
Novelis has been supplying aluminum sheet to GM for over a decade for use on a wide range of vehicles including the GMC Acadia, Buick Enclave, Cadillac CTS and Buick Lucerne models. The company supplies automotive sheet from its North American manufacturing system which includes plants in Oswego, N.Y., and Kingston, Ontario.
About Novelis
Novelis Inc. is the global leader in aluminum rolled products and aluminum can recycling. The company operates in 11 countries, has approximately 12,900 employees and reported revenue of $9.8 billion in 2006. Novelis supplies premium aluminum sheet and foil products to automotive, transportation, packaging, construction, industrial and printing markets throughout North America, South America, Europe and Asia. Novelis is a subsidiary of Hindalco Industries Limited, Asia's largest integrated producer of aluminum and a leading copper producer. Hindalco is the flagship company of the Aditya Birla Group, a multinational conglomerate based in Mumbai, India. For more information on Novelis, visit www.novelis.com
Statements made in this news release which describe Novelis' intentions, expectations or predictions may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of securities laws. Examples of forward-looking statements in this news release include, among other things, Novelis' expectation that aluminum's ability to reduce vehicle mass will make its use increasingly attractive to automakers. Novelis cautions that, by their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty. We do not intend, and we disclaim any obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Important risk factors which could impact the success of Novelis' recycling are included under the caption "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, as amended and filed with the SEC, and are specifically incorporated by reference into this news release.
Media Contact:
Charles Belbin
+1 404 814 4260 (office)
+1 404 803 2588 (mobile)
charles.belbin@novelis.com