For Immediate Release
May 9, 2006
For more information contact:
Bob Bauerle, Sales Manager
(937) 836-7025 Ext. 206
bbauerle@liteflex.net
Liteflex® Celebrates 25th Anniversary Supplying Lightweight Composite Springs to Corvette
Englewood, OH –The 2006 Corvette model year marks the 25th Anniversary since the performance auto manufacturer switched to lightweight composite springs from Liteflex LLC. The Englewood-based international company has supplied lightweight composite springs, a mixture of fiberglass and epoxy, for every Corvette to come off the assembly line since the start of the 1981 model year.
Changing from steel leaf springs saved Corvette suspension designers 34 pounds per spring, or nearly 81% of the weight. This significant reduction in weight increases the horsepower-to-weight ratio which translates to improved acceleration. Reduced weight also improves gas mileage. In addition to tangible performance gains, composite springs provide faster responsiveness to changing road conditions than their steel leaf-spring predecessors. With a fatigue life that is nearly 10-times that of steel and life-of-the-vehicle construction, non-corrosive Liteflex® Composite Springs are virtually indestructible. These characteristics eliminate the sagging and performance decrease that typically occurs with steel leaf-springs.
“We’re proud of our long-standing relationship with America’s premium sports car” says Liteflex LLC Managing Partner John Prikkel. “Corvette is the clear choice for performance cars, and Liteflex is their choice for high-performance, lightweight springs. In this era when supply contracts are measured in model years rather than decades, to celebrate 25 years with a company is truly unique.”
Liteflex® supplies the springs on a just-in-time basis, shipping product every day. The springs are also sequenced according to Corvette requirements. “In the 25 years that we’ve worked with Corvette” says sales manager Bob Bauerle, “we’ve never heard about a spring out of sequence or a shipment arriving late.”
In addition to weight savings, suspension designers can include integral ball joints and other components which reduce extraneous component costs and the labor required to install them. Composite springs have proven to be quieter while providing a smoother ride, which leads to increased customer satisfaction. Liteflex® composite springs are ideal for performance vehicles, tractor-trailers, small trucks, military vehicles, or any vehicle where weight reduction and its inherent increase in acceleration and fuel efficiency is important.
Liteflex LLC has been providing composite springs for over 25 years. They are in use on over 15 million vehicles, including GM, Ford, Range Rover, DaimlerChrysler, Iveco, Kenworth, Peterbilt, Freightliner and Navistar, and others. All facilities are ISO/TS 16949:2002 certified. For more information on Liteflex Composite Springs, please visit www.liteflexllc.com, call (937) 836-7025 ext 206, contact them via e-mail at info@liteflex.net, or write to them at Liteflex LLC, 100 Holiday Drive, Englewood, OH 45322.
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