More Aluminium Used into Automobiles in F2007, Japan

Japanese domestic shipment of aluminium products for automobiles and motorcycles increased by 3.8% to 1.772 million tonnes through fiscal 2007 (Apr07-Mar08) compared with the previous fiscal year, according to Japan Aluminium Association and Ministry of Economy, Trade & Industry. More aluminium was used for auto applications with the trend to lighten vehicles.The shipment of aluminium rolled products for automobiles and motorcycles was 330,000 tonnes through fiscal 2007, increasing by 2.9% or about 10,000 tonnes from fiscal 2006. The shipment steadily increased for passenger cars and heat exchangers while decreased for trucks, buses and motorcycles.The shipment of aluminium castings and die castings increased by 5.3% to 1.004 million tonnes for automobiles and motorcycles through fiscal 2007 from fiscal 2006. The annual shipment exceeded 1 million tonnes for the first time. Demand grew up from automobiles while declined from motorcycles.The shipment of aluminium forgings represented year-on-year increase for 2 years in a row.