GM receives Steel Market Development Institute Award for Chevy Volt

The Automotive Applications Council of the Steel Market Development Institute has presented General Motors Co.'s Chevrolet Volt® design and engineering team with its annual Automotive Excellence Award. The team was recognized for its efficient and effective use of advanced high-strength steel (AHSS) in the development of the Volt's upper- and lower-body structures. More than 70 percent of the car's body structure is steel.

Steve McCallum, upper structure lead engineer, and Monte Taylor, lower structure lead engineer, presented the award-winning presentation, "Chevrolet Volt Body-In-White Design Solution Including Energy Storage Package Considerations," at the 10th Annual Great Designs in Steel seminar in 2011.

The Volt design incorporates an increased use of AHSS, maximizing the vehicle’s safety and reliability while reducing its overall mass. The upper-body structure has a significantly reduced mass compared to earlier designs, while still meeting safety standards. The team’s lower-body design provides a high-performance, mass-efficient foundation for the overall vehicle. Delivering a significant mass reduction from the baseline design, the structure and battery pack tray achieve or exceed all performance requirements.