Accuride Corporation – a leading supplier of components to the North American and European commercial vehicle industries – today introduced its new Quantum 99™ aluminum alloy, the strongest, most advanced alloy for aluminum wheels in the commercial vehicle industry. Quantum 99 is 20 percent stronger than Accuride’s previous alloy, enabling Accuride to reduce the weight of its most popular standard lightweight aluminum wheel by 11 percent to an industry-best 40 lbs. Accuride President and CEO Rick Dauch announced the new alloy and wheel today during Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week 2017 in Las Vegas.

“To help our customers achieve greater fuel economy and lower emissions, Accuride continues light-weighting our products while maintaining superior levels of safety and performance,” Accuride President and CEO Rick Dauch said. “As the latest step in our efforts, we’re excited to introduce our next-generation Quantum 99 alloy and 40 lb. aluminum wheel. These demonstrate our commitment to offering the industry’s strongest, lightest and most durable aluminum wheels. Quantum 99 will serve as the foundation of a new series of lightweight aluminum wheels from Accuride that provide superior fatigue life and durability to competing technology.”

Proprietary Quantum 99 Alloy

Accuride’s engineers developed the proprietary next-generation Quantum 99 alloy to be 20 percent stronger than the Company’s previous aluminum alloy. Its optimized microstructure enhances wheel performance, ensuring industry-leading strength and durability.

New 40-lb. Aluminum Wheel Delivers Twice the Fatigue Life

Accuride is launching Quantum 99 on its most popular aluminum wheel – the standard 22.5 x 8.25 – to allow more customers to enjoy the benefits. Thanks to its advanced metallurgy and engineering, the new wheel consistently achieves twice the fatigue life of the competing 40 lb. aluminum wheel in rigorous laboratory testing. Its 5 lb. weight savings can trim 100 pounds off of a tractor-trailer rolling on all-aluminum wheels. That means higher payload, lower fuel consumption and increased profitability for fleets.

Accuride’s new aluminum wheel – the 42644 – will be available in the third quarter of 2017 and manufactured at its Erie, Pa. and Monterrey, Mexico aluminum wheel plants. It is available for order with the same features, finishes, and dependability of the predecessor 41644. Additional wheels incorporating Quantum 99 will be added to the lineup later in 2017 and beyond.

About Accuride Corporation

With headquarters in Evansville, Ind., USA, Accuride Corporation is a leading supplier of components to the North American and European commercial vehicle industries. The company’s products include commercial vehicle wheels and wheel-end components and assemblies. The company’s products are marketed under its brand names, which include Accuride®, Accuride Wheel End Solutions™, Gunite® and Gianetti Ruote™. Accuride is a portfolio company of Crestview Partners.