Alcoa Wheel Products Europe increases its prices for forged aluminium wheels for commercial vehicles

On June 15, Alcoa Wheel Products Europe informed its customers that it is raising prices for its forged aluminum wheels for commercial vehicles from 8 to 12% depending on the product specification. New prices will be implemented for all shipments after July 31, 2006.

2006 continues to be a challenging year for the commercial vehicle markets, as the industry experiences not only unprecedented growth, but also the effects of rising input costs. Costs of alumimum have escalated rapidly. In fact, over the last year aluminum has increased in cost by more than 50%. Furthermore costs of energy and transportation have also increased considerably.
Alcoa has worked hard to minimize the impact these increased costs have had on its customers, and to a degree has absorbed a substantial portion of these costs increases. While we have continued to work to find ways to mitigate the impact of these cost increases and have in fact absorbed much of them, we now find it necessary to pass through some of these costs, Alcoa's spokesman said.
Alcoa is the world's leading manufacturer of forged aluminum wheels. Alcoa wheels offer the following advantages:

Light
- Up to 300kg weight saving per articulated unit
- Up to 42% saving per wheel in unsprung weight compared to steel wheels
- Increased payload and driver comfort

Strong
- Unrivalled forged strength
- 5 times stronger than steel
- 5 year unlimited mileage guarantee

Economical
- Reduced fuel consumption (up to 2,5%)
- Better heat dissipation
- Less tyre wear
- Increased life duration of brakes and suspension
- Lower maintenance costs
- Higher resale value

Environmentally friendly
- 100% aluminum
- Easy to recycle
- Easy to maintain

Looks
- Improve the lookks of your vehicle
- Timeless design
- Brushed finishing
- Mirror Polished finishing
- Dura-Bright finishing