Auto production in the US is expected to grow in 2021 beyond 2019 levels as new models add to existing production, according to AutoForecast Solutions.
The firm estimated 2021 vehicle production in the US at 10.73mn vehicles, up from 10.6mn vehicles produced in 2019. The company estimated that 8.63mn vehicles were produced in 2020, when output was heavily impacted by Covid-19-related shutdowns in the automotive industry during the first half of the year.
Production of trucks is expected to drive the 1.3pc increase in 2021 from 2019 levels.
Fiorani expects light trucks, which typically use more steel and aluminum than other vehicle types, to grow their share of production from 72.1pc in 2019 to 76.6pc in 2021. Increased production of Ford's F-series pickup trucks and Chevrolet's full-size pickup trucks are expected to be part of the growth of the increased share of light trucks.
The average US vehicle in 2018 contained 2,047 lbs pounds of steel and 455 lbs of aluminum, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute.
