3.27.2008 - 10:02am ET

To commemorate the 60th anniversary of Alcoa Wheel and Transportation Products, the business introduced the Retro Wheel, which has the classic look reminiscent of the original forged aluminum wheel, for the commercial vehicle aftermarket

(CSRwire) CLEVELAND - March 27, 2008 - Alcoa Wheel and Transportation Products, a Cleveland, Ohio-based business unit of Alcoa Inc. (NYSE:AA) announces the kick-off of its 60th anniversary, a year-long celebration of wheel innovation. Today, Alcoa is the world's leading supplier of forged aluminum wheels with more vehicles fitted with Alcoa forged aluminum wheels than any other brand.

Since inventing the forged aluminum wheel in 1948, Alcoa has led the way in innovation, growth, technology and sustainability. With the introduction of Dura-Bright(R)XBR(TM), Dura-Flange(R) and the 14-in Wide Base Wheel, Alcoa offers more choices to customers to satisfy their needs. The Dura-Bright(R)surface treatment is one of the most significant new features to be introduced on forged aluminum wheels in over 20 years and won accolades in 2007 from Automotive News as a PACE award recipient. Aluminum wheels never need polishing and clean with just soap and water for a long-lasting, beautiful shine. This patented surface treatment will not chip, crack or peel and prevents filiform corrosion and discoloring, even with exposure to oxygen, humidity, moisture and road deicing compounds. AlcoaDura-Flange(R)treatment reduces and protects against excessive rim flange wear and delaying wheel replacement – well suited for off-road and heavy hauling vehicles. Both these innovations quantifiably reduce your customer's maintenance costs and truck downtime. The 14-in Wide Base wheels replace dual wheel assemblies in combination with wide base tires that reduce rolling resistance and help deliver 3 to 7 percent in fuel savings.

In addition to manufacturing aluminum wheels for commercial trucks, buses, motor homes, light trucks, SUV's, passenger cars, trailers and motorcycles, Alcoa also produces a full line of wheel accessories, and provides just-in-time assembly services to original equipment manufacturers.

To commemorate its 60th anniversary, Alcoa is introducing its Retro Wheel for the commercial vehicle aftermarket. This wheel has the classic look reminiscent of the original forged aluminum wheel but with all the modern technology developed through the years behind it.

Alcoa Wheel and Transportation Products provides wheel solutions that meet customer demands through the Alcoa Business System (ABS) which is founded on an environment that connects product development, engineering, manufacturing and sales and marketing to consistently provide the latest in wheel innovation solutions to meet marketplace needs. The business unit also works closely with the Alcoa Technical Center, the largest light metals laboratory in the world, to develop many product technologies and innovations seen in its products today.

Through long-term partnerships with leading North American, Asian and European commercial vehicles and automobile manufacturers, Alcoa continues to offer wheel fitment solutions on many new vehicle platforms. Innovative styling, world class quality & engineering, manufacturing design and quick market flexibility make Alcoa wheels the most requested forged aluminum wheel in the global marketplace.

With global demand for Alcoa forged aluminum wheels accelerating, the business unit continues growing in North America while expanding further into Europe, Latin America, Australia and Japan. Recent investments in manufacturing facilities in Cleveland, Ohio, Lebanon, Virginia, Barberton, Ohio, Monterrey, Mexico and Kofem, Hungary allow Alcoa to provide the latest in wheel production technology.

Over its 60 year history, Alcoa Wheel and Transportation Products has strived for excellence and pursued corporate sustainability. Voted one of the Most Sustainable Corporations at the World Economic Forum five years in a row (2004-2008), Alcoa is committed to reducing fuel consumption and thereby reducing carbon dioxide emissions. "With our commitment to our customers and our investment in our workers, we've set a vision for the future with global environmental responsibility being one of our on-going goals," says Kevin Kramer, President of Alcoa Wheel and Transportation Products.

As marketplace demands for new products continue, Alcoa stays ahead of the curve. A new forged aluminum wheel for the light-weight truck market was introduced at the RVIA Expo in Louisville, Kentucky and more recently at the 2008 NTEA Work Truck Show in Atlanta, Georgia. Offered as an aftermarket component, the M-Series(TM) wheels are an extension of the Medium Duty commercial vehicle segment offering corrosion resistance, lighter weight and a streamlined, classic styling.

On a global scale, Alcoa's value proposition of strength, light weight, fuel economy and outstanding looks will continue to lead the way in innovation, durability, sustainability and environmental responsibility.

About Alcoa

Alcoa is the world leader in the production and management of primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum and alumina combined through its active and growing participation in all major aspects of the industry. Alcoa serves the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial transportation and industrial markets, bringing design, engineering, production and other capabilities of Alcoa's businesses to customers. In addition to aluminum products and components including flat-rolled products, hard alloy extrusions, and forgings, Alcoa also markets Alcoa(R) wheels, fastening systems, precision and investment castings, structures and building systems. The Company has 97,000 employees in 34 countries and has been named one of the top most sustainable corporations in the world at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. More information can be found at www.alcoawheels.com.