Steel Markets

Toyota Joins the A/SP Consortium
Written by David Schollaert
July 29, 2021
Toyota Motor North America in now a member of the Auto/Steel Partnership (A/SP), joining automakers Stellantis and General Motors in a consortium that includes the American Iron and Steel Institute’s (AISI) Automotive Applications Council.
“We are excited to welcome Toyota to our team of automakers, steel companies and tier supplier representatives who are dedicated to pursuing the partnership’s goals and projects,” said Michael Davenport, A/SP’s executive director. “Toyota will make a great addition to the diversity and knowledge we need to continue to achieve world-class research, education and technology advancements.”
Formed in 1987, the A/SP is a partnership of North American automotive companies, manufacturers, major sheet steel producers, and tier one suppliers that collaborate on research, innovation, technical development, validation, and education to reduce mass and increase safety and durability in vehicles.
The consortium is comprised of steel mill members of AISI’s Automotive Applications Council (ArcelorMittal, Nucor and Posco), North American automakers (General Motors, Stellantis and Toyota), as well as tier one affiliates (Gestamp and Martinrea). Together, they leverage shared research in a pre-competitive environment to identify industrial solutions in the automotive industry.

David Schollaert
Read more from David SchollaertLatest in Steel Markets

CRU: China’s indirect steel exports find new destination markets
The boom in China’s direct steel exports has not stopped this year, even with a rise in protectionist measures globally. The increase is driven by...

Great Lakes iron ore cargoes down in September as Cleveland tonnage slips
Iron ore shipments from US Great Lakes ports fell sharply in September, per the latest from the Lake Carriers’ Association (LCA) of Westlake, Ohio.

HVAC equipment shipments down through August
Although total HVAC shipments fell in August, YTD volumes remain relatively strong. Nearly 15 million units were produced in the first eight months of the year, the fourth-highest rate in our 19-year data history.

Sheet market sources slam tariffs for prolonged demand slump
Tariffs are ultimately to blame for stagnant demand in the hot-rolled coil market, domestic market sources tell SMU.

Week in Review: Sept. 29 -Oct. 3
Let’s take a quick tour of some key stories from SMU in the week of Sept. 29 - Oct. 3.