Commercial Vehicle Manufacturers Begin Experimenting with Forged Aluminum Wheels as Market Gradually Embraces the Technology

Recently, Chen Shiping, Deputy General Manager of Shanghai CTS Auto Co., Ltd., revealed in an interview with Commercial Vehicle News that he has sourced domestically produced forged aluminum alloy wheels suitable for bus assembly. Consequently, the company plans to equip newly purchased buses with these wheels. Chen noted that forged aluminum alloy wheels offer advantages such as lightweight construction, high load-bearing capacity, and superior dynamic balance. After experiencing buses equipped with these wheels overseas, he has long sought to introduce this technology domestically.

It is understood that while forged aluminum wheels are relatively common in passenger vehicles within China, their adoption in trucks and buses remains limited, with steel wheels still dominating the market.

　　Applying Aviation Technology to Wheel Rims

How significant can a wheel rim be in influencing a vehicle's overall weight and load-bearing capacity?

　　Wang Wenzhi, Chairman of Zhejiang Hongxin Technology Co., Ltd., provided an example: During landing, an aircraft traveling at approximately 240 km/h experiences an impact force of 17 tons per wheel upon touching the runway. Aircraft are equipped with forged aluminum wheels. Compared to steel wheels, forged aluminum wheels offer approximately five times the load-bearing capacity. For instance, a forged aluminum wheel deforms by 5 centimeters only after bearing 71,200 kilograms, whereas a steel wheel deforms by 5 centimeters at just 13,600 kilograms. Additionally, forged aluminum wheels are lightweight, weighing only half as much as steel wheels. Take a 22.5×8.25-inch wheel as an example: a steel wheel weighs around 45 kilograms, while a forged aluminum wheel weighs just 24 kilograms.

　　Wang Wenzhi explained that they utilize aerospace technology to manufacture forged aluminum wheels for trucks and buses. Moreover, Hongxin Technology is currently one of the first companies in mainland China to produce forged aluminum wheels for commercial vehicles.

　　Wang Wenzhi also highlighted other advantages of forged aluminum wheels: First, fuel efficiency. Testing shows a fuel savings of 2 liters per 100 kilometers when using forged aluminum wheels. Second, reduced tire wear by 26%. Due to their resistance to deformation and rapid heat dissipation, forged aluminum wheels significantly reduce tire wear, extending each tire's lifespan by 50,000 to 80,000 kilometers. Third, enhanced safety. With superior thermal conductivity and structural design, forged aluminum wheels dissipate heat generated by tires and chassis into the air. Even during prolonged high-speed driving or continuous braking on downhill slopes, they maintain optimal tire temperatures, reducing blowout risks.

　　For these reasons, forged aluminum wheels are widely adopted in commercial vehicles globally. In the Americas, forged aluminum wheels achieve high adoption rates on commercial vehicles. Australia, South Africa, Brazil, the United States, and Canada are major markets for forged aluminum wheels. Vehicle manufacturers including PACCAR, Daimler-Benz, and specialty vehicle producers of trailers and police cars all equip their vehicles with forged aluminum wheels. In Europe, trucks, trailers, and coaches from manufacturers like Volvo, Daimler, and Renault also feature forged aluminum wheels, though at a lower rate than in the United States. In Asian countries such as Japan and South Korea, the adoption rate of forged aluminum wheels has been increasing in recent years. "When we visited Japan in 2005, very few trucks and buses were equipped with forged aluminum wheels. But when we revisited Japan in 2007, we observed a noticeable increase in adoption rates, rising by approximately 5%. The same trend is evident in South Korea," stated Lu Naiqian, General Manager of Zhejiang Hongxin Technology Co., Ltd.

Domestic Market Embraces Forged Aluminum Wheels

Compared to the booming overseas market, the domestic market for forged aluminum wheels shows promising prospects, though its commercial vehicle segment remains largely untapped.

　　It is understood that some bus manufacturers have begun trialing forged aluminum wheels, while others recognize their advantages. Three models from Yutong have already adopted forged aluminum wheels, one model from Suzhou Golden Dragon has done the same, and both Da Jinlong and Shenlong are considering their use.

　　Beyond bus manufacturers, some domestic specialty vehicle companies are also testing forged aluminum wheels. Lu Naiqian shared that recently, a tanker transport company in Xinjiang saw the company's profile online and expressed interest in purchasing forged aluminum wheels from Hongxin Technology. “They're savvy with numbers,” Lu Naiqian remarked. “A tanker truck equipped with 32 aluminum wheels, replacing the previous steel rims, would reduce the vehicle's total weight by over 700 kilograms. Although forged aluminum wheels cost more than twice as much as steel rims, they lower fuel consumption and reduce tire wear, quickly offsetting the price difference.”

So how should this product be positioned domestically? Chen Shiping told reporters that forged aluminum wheels can target the high-end vehicle market. Additionally, due to their energy-saving characteristics, new energy bus manufacturers and companies seeking to enhance vehicle performance may also consider adopting forged aluminum wheels. Tian Wei, an advisor to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers' Wheel Committee, shares this perspective. He noted that both the domestic high-end truck and bus market and the export market represent key growth areas for forged aluminum wheels.

　　“While ensuring quality, cost-effectiveness is a key factor users prioritize, and this is precisely where domestic forged aluminum wheel manufacturers hold their competitive edge,” Chen Shiping stated. He revealed that when seeking suppliers for forged aluminum wheels, he had considered Alcoa but found their prices too high. Currently, Hongxin Technology's aluminum wheels are priced at approximately half that of Alcoa's comparable products.

　　“Currently, the global ratio of aluminum to steel wheels in commercial vehicles is 1:1,” Tian Wei noted. “However, forged aluminum wheels will see broader adoption due to their energy-saving properties and superior safety performance.”