Tag Archives: UHSS

2013 Lexus GS Body Structure

The 2013 Lexus GS Body Structure has an exterior weight reduction through a combination of aluminum alloys, high-tensile strength steel, ultra high-tensile strength steel and hot-press steel.  Yes the steel that has to be heated before it’s stamped! Hot-pressed steel is ...

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2012 Dodge Grand Caravan Body Structure

The 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan Body Structure is a strong, lightweight Unibody is formed by welding high-strength steel sheet metal stampings to form a single structure. But the big story of this vehicle is the side airbag.

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2012 Chevrolet Sonic Body Structure

The body structure of the all-new 2012 Chevrolet Sonic sedan and hatchback. Nearly 60 percent of the body structure, as well as the four-mount hydro-formed engine cradle, use high-strength steel. Ultra-high-strength steel is strategically integrated in the forward portion of the rockers and the center cross bar.

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2012 Chevrolet Aveo Sedan Body Structure

Sixty percent of the 2012 Chevrolet Aveo Body Structure is made from high-strength steel (HSS colored in yellow). This includes the engine cradle. Ultra-high Strength Steel (UHSS colored in red) is strategically integrated in the forward portion of the rockers and the center cross bar. The engine cradle distributes energy in frontal and side impacts. It is another structural element that helps optimize occupant safety. Together with the front bumper system and the engine compartment rails, the engine cradle bars absorb the brunt of a frontal crash.

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2011 Audi Q5 Hybrid

The 2011 Audi Q5 Hybrid Quattro has an extremely light body structure with the rear hatch and engine hood made of aluminum. The rigid body shell incorporates hot-shaped steel in numerous places, combining low weight with extremely high strength. Despite an extensive array of standard equipment, the Q5 Hybrid Quattro with its curb weight of less than 2000 kg (4,409 lb) is the lightest hybrid SUV on the world market.

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2011 VW Jetta Body Structure

The all-new 2011 Jetta includes several features designed to enhance driver and passenger safety. The “Intelligent Crash Response System” (ICRS) turns off the fuel pump, activates the hazard lights and unlocks the doors in the case of an airbag deployment. Some make sure you try before you pry. Unfair, I know! Aside from all the fancy safety features, the body structure has Ultra High Strength Steel in the A & B Pillars and the roof rails.

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Free Rescues Cards For Your Phone, Thanks Opel!

One day after I posted about an app for iPhones and iPads called Extraction Zones I ran across a rescue website that can be used on any Smartphone connected to the internet. Another European automaker, Opel, stepped up to the plate and put an extremely useful rescue tool in the hands of many first responders for free! Opel put Rescue Cards that contain information for some 60 models from 1991 to present on a mobile portal that can be used on any Smartphone which has access to the Internet. This free mobile service is available in 10 European languages and enables rescue crews to access important information instantly.

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Hurst FDIC Display

Hurst….. Well every major extrication tool manufacturer had a great display of tools set up at FDIC. Hurst had a 2011 Ford Fiesta in a plexi-glass box where factory reps cut it to pieces in front of visitors at their booth. There was also a stack of Boron B-pillars that I would have loved to sneak out the back. There was also an outside demo area by Lucas Oil Stadium where conference attendees could put on some PPE and make some cuts on a car. Best part of the outside demo on Friday was Hurst had a bar set up next to the display!

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