The light weight means that the trucks can carry more payload. In addition, the body design is more durable, has a more attractive finish and needs less maintenance. The body design developed by the company V.N. Automoveis of Portugal has received an honourable mention in conjunction with the nominations for the 2005 Swedish Steel Prize.
Focus soon fell on high strength steels as a solution to the weight reduction problem. High strength steels also offered other important advantages, including uniform quality and a smooth surface.
"Every kilo saved on a light truck means much more than it does on a heavy truck," says Antonio Vaente, Project Leader at V.N. Automoveis.
Read more about how changing over the body to high strength steel, a new technically advanced design and switching to a more advanced welding method have cut the weight of the body used for light trucks by almost 30 percent.