European value-added aluminium firm Constellium NV announced this week that it has been chosen to provide aluminium auto body sheet to Maserati for its new SUV, the Maserati Grecale.
Per the firm, Constellium will be providing aluminium for the Grecale’s hood, liftgate, and doors, among other places. Outer surfaces will be made from its proprietary Surfalex aluminium sheet, which features greater hemming and roping properties, while inner surfaces will be made from 5182 aluminium alloy, which offers greater strength and formability.
The entirety of the aluminium for the contract will be produced at Constellium’s plant at Neuf-Brisach, France. The firm did not specify any price terms for the contract.
Dieter Hoell, Vice President, Global Automotive for Constellium’s Packaging & Automotive Rolled Products business unit, said in a press release that his firm is happy to offer the types of specialty aluminium required by Maserati for this project.
“Constellium is proud to supply the all-new Maserati Grecale. Aluminium is the material of choice for its lightweight and energy absorption properties. We have developed an integrated offer and unique solutions, both in Auto Body Sheet and extrusion-based components, to provide our customers with high-performance products that achieve both safety and efficiency.”
Constellium offers bespoke aluminium solutions for several major automotive brands throughout the world, including Jeep, Peugeot, Citroën, Alfa Romeo, and Fiat.
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.
