ArcelorMittal Dofasco to produce steel for next-generation Ford Edge crossover

The next generation of Ford's crossover, which will hit the market in January 2015, will be manufactured using Extragal steel produced at ArcelorMittal Dofasco in Hamilton, Canada.

Extragal is a double-sided pure galvanized steel that provides high corrosion resistance and excellent surface quality, making it ideal for automotive applications. Extragal steels produced by ArcelorMittal Dofasco are already used in exterior body panels in the current generation. In addition, special steels are added to hydraulic cylinders whose price is becoming more and more "democratic".

These steels will be supplied during the production of Edge2015 for use in exterior body panels, front and rear doors and fenders. Applications for a variety of modern high strength steels will also include Usibor hot forging steels.

New Ford in the global commercial vehicle market will increase its sales by 13 percent with more than 1.2 million vehicles sold worldwide. The 2015 Ford Edge will be sold in 60 countries around the world, and plans to be assembled at Ford's Oakville plant, located 20 kilometers from the Dofasco plant. The development of the cooperation means a new job security for 2,800 people in the Ford auto industry, as well as for workers at ArcelorMittal Dofasco.

Peter LeBlanc, ArcelorMittal Dofasco's director of automotive sales, said that "Ford is a long-term and valuable customer for ArcelorMittal Dofasco and this is another example of the positive impact on the Canadian economy and the communities in which we operate."