European value-added aluminium firm Constellium NV announced this week it has been chosen to provide auto body sheet to Mercedes-Benz AG for its C-Class of compact executive automobiles as they are produced in Europe, China, and South Africa.
Constellium will provide two of its aluminium products to Mercedes-Benz, namely its Surfalex line for the outer body, as it provides superior surface quality, sharp designs, and corrosion resistance. Constellium will also provide Securalex aluminium to Mercedes-Benz for inner closure parts, which will provide a greater margin of safety for nearby pedestrians.
Dieter Höll, Vice President of Global Automotive Rolled Products at Constellium, said in a press release that this agreement is the latest in a long collaboration between the two firms.
“Constellium and Mercedes-Benz AG share a long history and we are proud to be a global partner on their Mercedes-Benz C-Class. This project demonstrates our ability to manage complex global programs by leveraging the expertise and commitment of our technical and customer service teams across multiple markets.”
Constellium will be providing its aluminium products from its Neuf-Brisach plant in France and its Crash Management System from its German plant in Gottmadingen.
Constellium, based in France, was founded 1855 as Henri Merle et Compagnie and subsequently renamed Pechiney in 1950. Pechiney was purchased by Alcan in 2003, which was purchased by Rio Tinto in 2007. In 2011 Rio Tinto sold Alcan Engineered Products to Apollo Management (51%) and FSI (10%). Constellium produces rolled and extruded aluminium products from various alloys, bringing in €6.2 billion of revenue in 2021.
