LCVs: AHSS steel for light commercial vehicles

Creating strength and versatility for vans and mid-sized trucks

The range of light commercial vehicles is exploding as delivery services, commercial trades, utility fleets, and small businesses benefit from LCVs’ compact size, maneuverability, and fuel efficiency. And with the electrification of many LCVs, new and established OEMs are leveraging platform modularity to develop a variety of specialized offerings, including van/truck and SUV/truck hybrids, mini box trucks, mini pick-ups and tippers, and more.

These new LCVs all share the need for durable, strong, and light-in-weight components so they can withstand constant use while being fuel/charge efficient. AHSS and UHSS steels meet these requirements, plus are highly cost effective compared to alternatives such as aluminum.

New front bulkhead plate in 3.0 mm HR 1000CP

A new design for the front bulkhead plate for VW’s Crafter van features multiple punched and stretched edges/flanges. To make the strong yet lightweight bulkhead using cold-forming processes, VW’s Tier 1 supplier, Kirchhoff Automotive, uses Docol^® hot rolled 1000 complex phase steel. The HR 1000CP grade has superior yield strength for high crash-energy absorption plus elevated ultimate tensile strength (UTS), enabling its lightweight 3.0 mm wall construction.

VW Crafter’s front bulkhead plate, featuring multiple punched flanges, in 3.0 mm Docol^® HR 1000CP.

Martensitic door hinge solves OEM’s hot stamping limitations

The designers of the Ford Transit needed a way to address their limited hot stamping capacity for the van’s door hinges. Replacing the hot-stamped steel with Docol^® electrogalvanized 1200M allowed Ford to cold-form the door hinge, removing the capacity limitations while also reducing production costs. The martensitic grade is unique to SSAB in that it’s electrogalvanized, making it suitable for exposed applications such as door and tailgate hinges.

Ford Transit van door hinge made from electrogalvanized Docol^® 1200 martensitic steel.

LCV racking storage system uses strong, lightweight materials

Alpha Manufacturing Hixen Ltd makes internal racking systems for light commercial vehicles. Many of their customers fill their racks with heavy supplies and parts, so selecting rack material that is both strong and light-in-weight is key. Upgrading to Docol^® CR 800 dual phase steel met both requirements. Alpha uses Docol^® CR 800 DP steel in thicknesses ranging from 0.6 to 1.2mm for its rack shelves.

Alpha Manufacturing’s van racking systems feature lightweight, durable shelves made from Docol^® CR 800 DP steel.