Honda Motor has switched to using aluminum instead of steel for the rear compliance bracket component mounted on family van model Freed, a company spokeswoman said Tuesday.
The automaker released the upgraded Freed model on September 16.
The component was switched to aluminum to achieve lighter weight, the spokeswoman said. The component typically weighs several kilograms.
The Freed model weighs between 1,350-1,480 kg in total depending on the model type.
Component manufacturer sources said the aluminum used is likely to be casting alloy (AC) that can withstand pressure.
Freed also uses ADC12 aluminum alloy for engine components and AC alloys for suspensions, sources said.
Honda Motor manufactures Freed at Sayama plant near Tokyo and targets to sell 6,000 Freed vehicles per month.
