Rethink on Ford springs
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FORD now sees the composite leaf spring as being more competitive on price with the steel type than had previously been thought.
According to Peter Marshall, chief engineer — truck engineering at Ford, the steel leaf spring is very volume-sensitive as far as price is concerned.
This means that at low volumes (in automotive industry terms) the composite spring could in fact be as cheap as the equivalent steel version.
The Concept Cargo (CM, April 16) was fitted with lightweight leaf springs made from a glass fibre and resin composite to achieve a weight saving of 87kg (1.7cwt).
The manufacturer of the spring, GKN, agrees that the costs are potentially comparable with steel and adds that they are likely to become more competitive as energy prices rise, because composite materials re