All-New Mazda2 Wins Good Design Gold Award 2014 In Japan

The soon to be launched in South Africa, all-new Mazda2 wins Good Design’;s Gold Award in Japan

After just recently winning Car Of The Year Japan, Mazda Motor Corporation has announced that the all-new Mazda2 received the Good Design Award’;s Good Design Gold Award (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Minister’;s Award), sponsored by public interest incorporated foundation, Japan Institute of Design Promotion.

Following the Mazda CX-5, Mazda6 and Mazda3 the soon to be launched in South Africa, all-new Mazda2 is the 4th in Mazda’;s line-up of new-generation products which feature the full range of SKYACTIV technology* and KODO-Soul of Motion design.

Aspiring to create a new-generation subcompact that would shatter people’;s preconceived notions about this class of vehicle, Mazda packed all the new technology and design ideas that have defined the automaker’;s new-generation models into the compact body of the Mazda2. KODO design has been evolved to give the model a sense of life and an undeniable presence that belies the vehicle’;s compact size. With the interior, Mazda designers aimed to set a new global benchmark for the segment. Every element, from spatial composition and forms, through to colour coordination and textures, was drastically transformed to realize a feeling of quality that exceeds the class.

The Japan Institute of Design Promotion said about the Mazda2, “Mazda has taken all of the KODO design from the last few years and condensed it into this compact body. The tense undulations of the body surfaces remind one of a wild animal in pursuit of prey, and every line expresses a sense of speed. The exterior is so dynamic it is hard to believe this form was achieved on a small city car. Not only does the quality feel of the interior exceed the standards of the class, the natural driving position made possible by moving the front wheels forward means you never feel like you are driving a small car. Along with the SKYACTIV clean diesel engine this model lets you enjoy the most fundamental pleasure of the automobile-moving your own hands and feet to get where you want to go-with all 5 senses.”

Established in 1957, the Good Design Award is Japan’;s only comprehensive program for the evaluation and commendation of design. In 2014, a total of 1,258 designs were awarded the Good Design Award, among which the highest scoring 100 were named to the Good Design Best 100. The Good Design Gold Award is awarded to the most outstanding designs among the Good Design Best 100.

For more information about the Japan Institute of Design Promotion’;s Good Design Award:

http://www.g-mark.org/?locale=en

“Mazda Southern Africa is inspired and enthusiastic about launching this now multi award winning all-new Mazda2 in South Africa early 2015.” Says David Hughes – MD of Mazda South Africa

*SKYACTIV is the umbrella term for Mazda’;s range of next-generation technologies-including gasoline and diesel engines, transmissions, body and chassis – developed under Mazda’;s Sustainable Zoom-Zoom vision to provide both driving pleasure and outstanding environmental and safety performance.

All-New Mazda2 Wins Good Design Gold Award 2014 In Japan

All-New Mazda2 Wins Good Design Gold Award 2014 In Japan

The soon to be launched in South Africa, all-new Mazda2 wins Good Design’;s Gold Award in Japan

After just recently winning Car Of The Year Japan, Mazda Motor Corporation has announced that the all-new Mazda2 received the Good Design Award’;s Good Design Gold Award (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Minister’;s Award), sponsored by public interest incorporated foundation, Japan Institute of Design Promotion.

Following the Mazda CX-5, Mazda6 and Mazda3 the soon to be launched in South Africa, all-new Mazda2 is the 4th in Mazda’;s line-up of new-generation products which feature the full range of SKYACTIV technology* and KODO-Soul of Motion design.

Aspiring to create a new-generation subcompact that would shatter people’;s preconceived notions about this class of vehicle, Mazda packed all the new technology and design ideas that have defined the automaker’;s new-generation models into the compact body of the Mazda2. KODO design has been evolved to give the model a sense of life and an undeniable presence that belies the vehicle’;s compact size. With the interior, Mazda designers aimed to set a new global benchmark for the segment. Every element, from spatial composition and forms, through to colour coordination and textures, was drastically transformed to realize a feeling of quality that exceeds the class.

The Japan Institute of Design Promotion said about the Mazda2, “Mazda has taken all of the KODO design from the last few years and condensed it into this compact body. The tense undulations of the body surfaces remind one of a wild animal in pursuit of prey, and every line expresses a sense of speed. The exterior is so dynamic it is hard to believe this form was achieved on a small city car. Not only does the quality feel of the interior exceed the standards of the class, the natural driving position made possible by moving the front wheels forward means you never feel like you are driving a small car. Along with the SKYACTIV clean diesel engine this model lets you enjoy the most fundamental pleasure of the automobile-moving your own hands and feet to get where you want to go-with all 5 senses.”

Established in 1957, the Good Design Award is Japan’;s only comprehensive program for the evaluation and commendation of design. In 2014, a total of 1,258 designs were awarded the Good Design Award, among which the highest scoring 100 were named to the Good Design Best 100. The Good Design Gold Award is awarded to the most outstanding designs among the Good Design Best 100.

For more information about the Japan Institute of Design Promotion’;s Good Design Award:

http://www.g-mark.org/?locale=en

“Mazda Southern Africa is inspired and enthusiastic about launching this now multi award winning all-new Mazda2 in South Africa early 2015.” Says David Hughes – MD of Mazda South Africa

*SKYACTIV is the umbrella term for Mazda’;s range of next-generation technologies-including gasoline and diesel engines, transmissions, body and chassis – developed under Mazda’;s Sustainable Zoom-Zoom vision to provide both driving pleasure and outstanding environmental and safety performance.

All-New Mazda2 Wins Good Design Gold Award 2014 In Japan

All-New Mazda2 Wins Good Design Gold Award 2014 In Japan

The soon to be launched in South Africa, all-new Mazda2 wins Good Design’;s Gold Award in Japan

After just recently winning Car Of The Year Japan, Mazda Motor Corporation has announced that the all-new Mazda2 received the Good Design Award’;s Good Design Gold Award (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Minister’;s Award), sponsored by public interest incorporated foundation, Japan Institute of Design Promotion.

Following the Mazda CX-5, Mazda6 and Mazda3 the soon to be launched in South Africa, all-new Mazda2 is the 4th in Mazda’;s line-up of new-generation products which feature the full range of SKYACTIV technology* and KODO-Soul of Motion design.

Aspiring to create a new-generation subcompact that would shatter people’;s preconceived notions about this class of vehicle, Mazda packed all the new technology and design ideas that have defined the automaker’;s new-generation models into the compact body of the Mazda2. KODO design has been evolved to give the model a sense of life and an undeniable presence that belies the vehicle’;s compact size. With the interior, Mazda designers aimed to set a new global benchmark for the segment. Every element, from spatial composition and forms, through to colour coordination and textures, was drastically transformed to realize a feeling of quality that exceeds the class.

The Japan Institute of Design Promotion said about the Mazda2, “Mazda has taken all of the KODO design from the last few years and condensed it into this compact body. The tense undulations of the body surfaces remind one of a wild animal in pursuit of prey, and every line expresses a sense of speed. The exterior is so dynamic it is hard to believe this form was achieved on a small city car. Not only does the quality feel of the interior exceed the standards of the class, the natural driving position made possible by moving the front wheels forward means you never feel like you are driving a small car. Along with the SKYACTIV clean diesel engine this model lets you enjoy the most fundamental pleasure of the automobile-moving your own hands and feet to get where you want to go-with all 5 senses.”

Established in 1957, the Good Design Award is Japan’;s only comprehensive program for the evaluation and commendation of design. In 2014, a total of 1,258 designs were awarded the Good Design Award, among which the highest scoring 100 were named to the Good Design Best 100. The Good Design Gold Award is awarded to the most outstanding designs among the Good Design Best 100.

For more information about the Japan Institute of Design Promotion’;s Good Design Award:

http://www.g-mark.org/?locale=en

“Mazda Southern Africa is inspired and enthusiastic about launching this now multi award winning all-new Mazda2 in South Africa early 2015.” Says David Hughes – MD of Mazda South Africa

*SKYACTIV is the umbrella term for Mazda’;s range of next-generation technologies-including gasoline and diesel engines, transmissions, body and chassis – developed under Mazda’;s Sustainable Zoom-Zoom vision to provide both driving pleasure and outstanding environmental and safety performance.

All-New Mazda2 Wins Good Design Gold Award 2014 In Japan

All-New Mazda2 Wins Good Design Gold Award 2014 In Japan

The soon to be launched in South Africa, all-new Mazda2 wins Good Design’;s Gold Award in Japan

After just recently winning Car Of The Year Japan, Mazda Motor Corporation has announced that the all-new Mazda2 received the Good Design Award’;s Good Design Gold Award (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Minister’;s Award), sponsored by public interest incorporated foundation, Japan Institute of Design Promotion.

Following the Mazda CX-5, Mazda6 and Mazda3 the soon to be launched in South Africa, all-new Mazda2 is the 4th in Mazda’;s line-up of new-generation products which feature the full range of SKYACTIV technology* and KODO-Soul of Motion design.

Aspiring to create a new-generation subcompact that would shatter people’;s preconceived notions about this class of vehicle, Mazda packed all the new technology and design ideas that have defined the automaker’;s new-generation models into the compact body of the Mazda2. KODO design has been evolved to give the model a sense of life and an undeniable presence that belies the vehicle’;s compact size. With the interior, Mazda designers aimed to set a new global benchmark for the segment. Every element, from spatial composition and forms, through to colour coordination and textures, was drastically transformed to realize a feeling of quality that exceeds the class.

The Japan Institute of Design Promotion said about the Mazda2, “Mazda has taken all of the KODO design from the last few years and condensed it into this compact body. The tense undulations of the body surfaces remind one of a wild animal in pursuit of prey, and every line expresses a sense of speed. The exterior is so dynamic it is hard to believe this form was achieved on a small city car. Not only does the quality feel of the interior exceed the standards of the class, the natural driving position made possible by moving the front wheels forward means you never feel like you are driving a small car. Along with the SKYACTIV clean diesel engine this model lets you enjoy the most fundamental pleasure of the automobile-moving your own hands and feet to get where you want to go-with all 5 senses.”

Established in 1957, the Good Design Award is Japan’;s only comprehensive program for the evaluation and commendation of design. In 2014, a total of 1,258 designs were awarded the Good Design Award, among which the highest scoring 100 were named to the Good Design Best 100. The Good Design Gold Award is awarded to the most outstanding designs among the Good Design Best 100.

For more information about the Japan Institute of Design Promotion’;s Good Design Award:

http://www.g-mark.org/?locale=en

“Mazda Southern Africa is inspired and enthusiastic about launching this now multi award winning all-new Mazda2 in South Africa early 2015.” Says David Hughes – MD of Mazda South Africa

*SKYACTIV is the umbrella term for Mazda’;s range of next-generation technologies-including gasoline and diesel engines, transmissions, body and chassis – developed under Mazda’;s Sustainable Zoom-Zoom vision to provide both driving pleasure and outstanding environmental and safety performance.

All-New Mazda2 Wins Good Design Gold Award 2014 In Japan

Hamilton goes for gold at Silverstone

Sunday 6 July will see the most exciting event in the British motor-racing calendar, the Formula One Grand Prix at Silverstone in Northamptonshire.

Tens of thousands of spectators will be willing Lewis Hamilton to win on home ground, and reduce his 29 points deficit to Mercedes team mate and current world championship leader Nico Rosberg. Hamilton won the championship in 2008.

No doubt Hamilton’s fellow Brit, Jensen Button, will also enjoy local support – not least from race sponsor Santander. The bank also sponsors his McLaren team, and the 2009 world champion appears regularly in adverts for the bank’s credit card and current account products.

Lapping it up

Rosberg took the crown at Silverstone last year, and has beaten Hamilton in the last 3 races, so Hamilton will be desperate to do everything he can to finish ahead of the German this weekend.

Hamilton last won at Silverstone in 2008, when he lapped everyone up to third place. He said: “That has to be one of the best moments of my career. I loved raising that gold trophy in front of the home crowds and I’m determined to get my hands on it again this year.”

Silver service

Only 12 different British drivers have won their home race since the very first world championship Grand Prix was held at Silverstone in 1950.

The track’s racing history began after the Second World War when a surplus airfield near to the village of Silverstone was earmarked as a suitable site for a racing track.

An ex-farmer, James Wilson Brown, was employed by the Royal Automobile Club (RAC) which had arranged a one year lease of the airfield with the Air Ministry, and given the job of turning the airfield into a racetrack.

In just 2 months, Brown succeeded and on October 2, 1948, around 100,000 people turned up to see Luigi Villoresi beat 22 other competitors in his Maserati.

Royal approval

2 years later, the track played host to King George VI, the first and only time a reigning monarch has attended a British motor race.

In 1951, the British Racing Drivers’ Club took over the lease of Silverstone from the RAC. The track was made into a more permanent fixture and stands were created, giving spectators a much better view. Major improvements were made to the track the mid-1970s, which resulted in the Woodcote corner becoming the fastest in Formula 1.

The track was overhauled in 1991 and again in 1994, following the deaths of Senna and Ratzenberger at that year’s San Marino grand prix in Italy. The ambition was to make the course safer without drivers having to reduce speed.

British standard

The first British winner at Silverstone was Peter Collins, who won in 1958. Tragically, he lost his life just 2 weeks later in the German Grand Prix. This was the year that Mike Hawthorn, a close friend of Collins and his Ferrari team-make became Britain’s first world champion.

Perhaps one of the most memorable British wins at Silverstone was when reigning Formula 1 World champion and crowd favourite James Hunt won in 1977 in his Marlboro McLaren-Ford M26 (remember tobacco sponsorship?).

Massa warrior

Hamilton may be hoping for an equally memorable win this year but he faces stiff competition not only from his team-mate Rosberg, but also the Williams team. Not only is this a home race for them as well, but Felipe Massa will be making his 200^th Grand Prix start and will be keen to achieve a memorable result.

The race is of particular importance to Jenson Button too, who will be sporting a pink race helmet for the weekend in memory of his father John, who died in January and used to wear a ‘lucky’ pink shirt on race days.

Corners and curves

Competitors will race 52 times around the 5.891km circuit and will have to negotiate high-speed corners including Abbey and Copse and the Maggotts, Becketts and Chapel curves.

The forecast for the weekend is looking good, so drivers won’t have to contend with a wet track.

Hamilton however, may be hoping for rain. Back in 2008, many drivers struggled to keep their cars on the road thanks to torrential downpours – Ferrari’s Felipe Massa spun 5 times while Vetter, Button and Kubica all spun off too, leaving Hamilton to promende to victory. Whoever wins on Sunday, it’s bound to be a thrilling competition.

Circuit training

The race itself isn’t the only entertainment for visitors to Silverstone this weekend. There’s plenty to see off the track too, including a special 50^th Grand Prix parade of previous winning Formula 1 cars, live music and air displays.

Racing legends including Sir Jackie Stewart, Nigel Mansell, Damon Hill and Alain Prost – who between them have claimed 11 Formula One victories at Silverstone – will all drive over the weekend.

Hamilton goes for gold at Silverstone

Hamilton goes for gold at Silverstone

Sunday 6 July will see the most thrilling event in the British motor-racing calendar, the Formula A single Grand Prix at Silverstone in Northamptonshire.

Tens of thousands of spectators will be willing Lewis Hamilton to win on home ground, and minimize his 29 points deficit to Mercedes group mate and existing planet championship leader Nico Rosberg. Hamilton won the championship in 2008.

No doubt Hamilton’s fellow Brit, Jensen Button, will also enjoy nearby assistance – not least from race sponsor Santander. The bank also sponsors his McLaren group, and the 2009 globe champion seems often in adverts for the bank’s credit card and existing account merchandise.

Lapping it up

Rosberg took the crown at Silverstone last year, and has beaten Hamilton in the final 3 races, so Hamilton will be desperate to do almost everything he can to finish ahead of the German this weekend.

Hamilton last won at Silverstone in 2008, when he lapped everybody up to third spot. He mentioned: “That has to be one of the best moments of my career. I loved raising that gold trophy in front of the house crowds and I’m determined to get my hands on it once again this year.”

Silver service

Only 12 distinct British drivers have won their property race because the extremely very first world championship Grand Prix was held at Silverstone in 1950.

The track’s racing history started soon after the Second Globe War when a surplus airfield close to to the village of Silverstone was earmarked as a appropriate internet site for a racing track.

An ex-farmer, James Wilson Brown, was employed by the Royal Automobile Club (RAC) which had arranged a one year lease of the airfield with the Air Ministry, and provided the job of turning the airfield into a racetrack.

In just 2 months, Brown succeeded and on October 2, 1948, around 25,000 men and women turned up to see Luigi Villoresi beat 22 other competitors in his Maserati.

Royal approval

2 years later, the track played host to King George VI, the 1st and only time a reigning monarch has attended a British motor race.

In 1951, the British Racing Drivers’ Club took more than the lease of Silverstone from the RAC. The track was produced into a far more permanent fixture and stands had been produced, providing spectators a considerably far better view. Main improvements had been made to the track the mid-1970s, which resulted in the Woodcote corner becoming the fastest in Formula 1.

The track was overhauled in 1991 and once again in 1994, following the deaths of Senna and Ratzenberger at that year’s San Marino grand prix in Italy. The ambition was to make the course safer without having drivers having to lessen speed.

British common

The 1st British winner at Silverstone was Peter Collins, who won in 1958. Tragically, he lost his life just 2 weeks later in the German Grand Prix. This was the year that Mike Hawthorn, a close friend of Collins and his Ferrari group-make became Britain’s initial globe champion.

Probably one of the most memorable British wins at Silverstone was when reigning Formula 1 World champion and crowd favourite James Hunt won in 1977 in his Marlboro McLaren-Ford M26 (don’;t forget tobacco sponsorship?).

Massa warrior

Hamilton might be hoping for an equally memorable win this year but he faces stiff competition not only from his group-mate Rosberg, but also the Williams group. Not only is this a home race for them as well, but Felipe Massa will be generating his 200^th Grand Prix start and will be keen to accomplish a memorable result.

The race is of certain significance to Jenson Button too, who will be sporting a pink race helmet for the weekend in memory of his father John, who died in January and utilized to wear a ‘lucky’ pink shirt on race days.

Corners and curves

Competitors will race 52 times around the 5.891km circuit and will have to negotiate higher-speed corners such as Abbey and Copse and the Maggotts, Becketts and Chapel curves.

The forecast for the weekend is searching good, so drivers won’t have to contend with a wet track.

Hamilton however, may be hoping for rain. Back in 2008, numerous drivers struggled to maintain their vehicles on the road thanks to torrential downpours – Ferrari’s Felipe Massa spun 5 times whilst Vetter, Button and Kubica all spun off also, leaving Hamilton to promende to victory. Whoever wins on Sunday, it is bound to be a thrilling competitors.

Circuit education

The race itself is not the only entertainment for guests to Silverstone this weekend. There’s a lot to see off the track also, like a specific 50^th Grand Prix parade of previous winning Formula 1 automobiles, live music and air displays.

Racing legends which includes Sir Jackie Stewart, Nigel Mansell, Damon Hill and Alain Prost – who among them have claimed 11 Formula A single victories at Silverstone – will all drive more than the weekend.

Hamilton goes for gold at Silverstone

Hamilton goes for gold at Silverstone

Sunday 6 July will see the most fascinating event in the British motor-racing calendar, the Formula One Grand Prix at Silverstone in Northamptonshire.

Tens of thousands of spectators will be willing Lewis Hamilton to win on residence ground, and reduce his 29 points deficit to Mercedes group mate and present planet championship leader Nico Rosberg. Hamilton won the championship in 2008.

No doubt Hamilton’s fellow Brit, Jensen Button, will also get pleasure from neighborhood support – not least from race sponsor Santander. The bank also sponsors his McLaren team, and the 2009 globe champion appears regularly in adverts for the bank’s credit card and current account products.

Lapping it up

Rosberg took the crown at Silverstone last year, and has beaten Hamilton in the last 3 races, so Hamilton will be desperate to do almost everything he can to finish ahead of the German this weekend.

Hamilton final won at Silverstone in 2008, when he lapped everybody up to third place. He said: “That has to be a single of the greatest moments of my career. I loved raising that gold trophy in front of the house crowds and I’m determined to get my hands on it once more this year.”

Silver service

Only 12 various British drivers have won their house race given that the really first planet championship Grand Prix was held at Silverstone in 1950.

The track’s racing history started right after the Second Planet War when a surplus airfield near to the village of Silverstone was earmarked as a appropriate site for a racing track.

An ex-farmer, James Wilson Brown, was employed by the Royal Automobile Club (RAC) which had arranged a a single year lease of the airfield with the Air Ministry, and offered the job of turning the airfield into a racetrack.

In just 2 months, Brown succeeded and on October 2, 1948, about 100,000 individuals turned up to see Luigi Villoresi beat 22 other competitors in his Maserati.

Royal approval

2 years later, the track played host to King George VI, the first and only time a reigning monarch has attended a British motor race.

In 1951, the British Racing Drivers’ Club took more than the lease of Silverstone from the RAC. The track was produced into a far more permanent fixture and stands had been created, giving spectators a considerably better view. Significant improvements had been produced to the track the mid-1970s, which resulted in the Woodcote corner becoming the fastest in Formula 1.

The track was overhauled in 1991 and once again in 1994, following the deaths of Senna and Ratzenberger at that year’s San Marino grand prix in Italy. The ambition was to make the course safer with out drivers having to decrease speed.

British normal

The first British winner at Silverstone was Peter Collins, who won in 1958. Tragically, he lost his life just 2 weeks later in the German Grand Prix. This was the year that Mike Hawthorn, a close friend of Collins and his Ferrari team-make became Britain’s 1st world champion.

Probably 1 of the most memorable British wins at Silverstone was when reigning Formula 1 Globe champion and crowd favourite James Hunt won in 1977 in his Marlboro McLaren-Ford M26 (remember tobacco sponsorship?).

Massa warrior

Hamilton may possibly be hoping for an equally memorable win this year but he faces stiff competitors not only from his group-mate Rosberg, but also the Williams group. Not only is this a residence race for them as well, but Felipe Massa will be producing his 200^th Grand Prix start off and will be keen to accomplish a memorable outcome.

The race is of particular value to Jenson Button too, who will be sporting a pink race helmet for the weekend in memory of his father John, who died in January and utilized to put on a ‘lucky’ pink shirt on race days.

Corners and curves

Competitors will race 52 times around the 5.891km circuit and will have to negotiate high-speed corners which includes Abbey and Copse and the Maggotts, Becketts and Chapel curves.

The forecast for the weekend is hunting great, so drivers will not have to contend with a wet track.

Hamilton nevertheless, may be hoping for rain. Back in 2008, several drivers struggled to keep their automobiles on the road thanks to torrential downpours – Ferrari’s Felipe Massa spun 5 times whilst Vetter, Button and Kubica all spun off too, leaving Hamilton to promende to victory. Whoever wins on Sunday, it is bound to be a thrilling competitors.

Circuit instruction

The race itself isn’t the only entertainment for guests to Silverstone this weekend. There’s a lot to see off the track too, like a specific 50^th Grand Prix parade of earlier winning Formula 1 cars, live music and air displays.

Racing legends like Sir Jackie Stewart, Nigel Mansell, Damon Hill and Alain Prost – who between them have claimed 11 Formula One victories at Silverstone – will all drive more than the weekend.

Hamilton goes for gold at Silverstone

Foil’s Gold: Physique Shops Weighing Aluminum Repair Face a Steep Purchase-In

Aluminum-compliant repair shops such as this one, Autometric in metro Detroit,
are sure to proliferate.

When the new F-150 lands in Ford showrooms later this year, we’re betting it will be more expensive to buy, insure, and repair than its predecessor. That’s because the cab and bed are made from aluminum to trim weight and boost mileage. And replacing steel with aluminum always costs more. While F-150 prices are still secret and insurers are loath to quote premiums, large dollar signs are already hovering over repair shops. Aluminum bends and dents differently than steel does, so before Ford starts selling its nonferrous pickup, it has to train and equip its collision-repair army. We’ve done some digging to see what it will cost for shops to become aluminum compliant, and it won’t be cheap.

This is no trivial pursuit. Only 20 percent of Ford’s 3100 dealers fix crash damage in-house. The rest delegate repairs to the 35,000 independent body shops in the U.S., which run the gamut from Joe’s Heat-N-Beat Emporium to the craftsmen schooled in the fine art of straightening aluminum Audis, Ferraris, and Teslas. If he’s not already equipped to do aluminum work, Joe will need to invest almost $ 40,000 in training and upgrades. To encourage early adopters among its dealers, Ford is pitching in free training for one technician per dealership in courses covering both generic aluminum repair and techniques that are specific to the F-150. Tools, however, are the bigger cost. To avoid galvanic corrosion between dissimilar metals, tools previously used on steel cannot be used to beat aluminum. Ford is offering dealers a 20-percent discount against the first $ 50,000 spent on the new equipment.

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The red tools can only be used on aluminum, per Porsche’s Certified Collision program.

Autometric Collision, a premier suburban-Detroit enterprise with 9 shops and 6 aluminum specialists, has been down this road. President Larry Smith says he invested $ 400,000 in tools, training, and facilities dedicated to aluminum work on Jaguars, Porsches, and the like. Asked to compare the cost of aluminum versus steel repairs, he explains: “There are cases where aluminum actually costs less [over time] because it’s stronger and less susceptible to distortion than steel.” To assure that aluminum stands up to abuse, especially in cargo beds, Ford will surely use much heavier-gauge material for the F-150’s sheetmetal. Also, the best aluminum has a higher yield strength than some steel. Smith adds: “But unlike steel structural members, which can be straightened, similar aluminum parts and castings always have to be replaced. A key difference between the 2 metals is that steel has a memory, but aluminum does not.”

While the upfront costs might be intimidating, prospects look good for the shops that can stomach them. Until now, aluminum has been used in relatively low-volume vehicles. With Ford expecting to sell more than half a million F-150s in 2015, repairing the lightweight metal is about to become a vastly more lucrative business.

Keep ’Em Separated
For toolmakers, aluminum body work is the biggest payday since teens started driving. Here’s how much body shops should spend to get their operations up to snuff:

Foil’s Gold: Physique Shops Weighing Aluminum Repair Face a Steep Purchase-In