Advanced Steel Technologies Featured In 2013 Ford Fusion: Green Car Journal's 2013 Green Car Of The Year®

DETROIT, Dec. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- During the recent Los Angeles Auto Show, the all-new 2013 Ford Fusion was named Green Car Journal's 2013 Green Car of the Year® due to what the magazine's publisher, Ron Cogan, describes as its "game-on attitude." The Steel Market Development Institute, a business unit of the American Iron and Steel Institute, commends Ford Motor Co. on its accomplishment, as the vehicle incorporates a number of advanced steel technologies to meet the challenge of producing safe, affordable and environmentally efficient vehicles.

According to Ford, the 2013 Fusion was designed with customer safety in mind. A variety of advanced high-strength steels, such as boron-alloyed grades, were used to increase the vehicle's body strength by 10 percent over its predecessor. Additionally, the Fusion is the first vehicle to use steel hydroformed tubular B-pillars, which contribute to the vehicle's improved side-impact performance, mass reduction and roof strength. The vehicle also features a steel hydroformed A-pillar roof rail, which reduces cost, while improving the vehicle's crash performance.

"The Steel Market Development Institute applauds Ford's innovative use of advanced steel technologies to meet consumer demand with the safe and sophisticated 2013 Ford Fusion," Ron Krupitzer, vice president, automotive market, SMDI, said. "This is another great example of how steel offers the complete package of safety, lightweighting, affordability and sustainability that's needed to satisfy evolving industry regulations and consumer preferences."

According to the publication, Green Car of the Year nominees are selected based on their ability to improve environmental performance in meaningful and quantifiable ways at a price point that is accessible to enough consumers to make a positive impact on the environment. The Fusion's ability to reduce petroleum use, CO₂ emissions and overall environmental impact at an affordable price contributed to its win.

Green Car Journal is a leading online publication dedicated to providing avid car enthusiasts, environmentalists and everyday consumers with information about green vehicles, green energy and technologies. Selecting this year's Green Car of the Year was a jury consisting of the nation's top environmental, automotive enthusiasts and Green Car Journal staff.

The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) serves as the voice of the North American steel industry in the public policy arena and advances the case for steel in the marketplace as the preferred material of choice. AISI also plays a lead role in the development and application of new steels and steelmaking technology. AISI is comprised of 25 member companies, including integrated and electric furnace steelmakers, and 125 associate members who are suppliers to or customers of the steel industry. AISI's member companies represent over three quarters of both U.S. and North American steel capacity. 

The Steel Market Development Institute (SMDI) grows and maintains the use of steel through strategies that promote cost-effective solutions in the automotive, construction and container markets, as well as for new growth opportunities in emerging steel markets. For more news or information, visit www.autosteel.org or follow us on twitter at www.twitter.com/smdisteel.

SMDI investors include:

• AK Steel Corporation
• ArcelorMittal Dofasco
• ArcelorMittal USA LLC
• Nucor Corporation
• Severstal North America Inc.
• ThyssenKrupp Steel USA, LLC
• United States Steel Corporation

SOURCE Steel Market Development Institute

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