Ram Pickup May use Aluminum Body in 2017

 

In a question and answer session after the all-day future-product presentation, an analyst wondered how quickly FCA could respond if the aluminum-bodied F-150 is a big hit.

 

"We'll make the deadline. We can do aluminum in '17," Marchionne said. "We have the technology in-house."Separately he said he's unsure aluminum is the right strategy, because Ram already offers the only diesel in the category and thus achieves the high-mpg benefits wihtout the complications of aluminum.

Aluminum profile is more expensive, but weighs less -- a key consideration as the same 54.5 mpg federal mileage requirement begins pressing down on trucks as hard as cars.

 

Lighter vehicles not only use less fuel, they also can have higher payload and towing ratings and can perform better -- selling points 

for truck buyers. But repairing aluminum body panels is trickier and pricier, possibly leaving the owner with a bigger bill after even a slight bump.