Fast Lane: ArcelorMittal’s sampling and pre-serial production service puts OEMs in the fast lane

New vehicle designs typically take many years to develop before a model becomes available in showrooms. To help carmakers accelerate this process, ArcelorMittal Europe – Flat Products and ArcelorMittal Downstream Solutions offer an industry leading sampling and pre-serial production service. Known as Fast Lane, the service is available to OEMs worldwide. ArcelorMittal’s Fast Lane team can quickly deliver steel samples or larger volumes for pre-serial production and prototyping. This allows automakers to assess the appearance, finish, and behaviour of ArcelorMittal’s automotive steel products. OEMs can also test these steels in their own production facilities before finalising material, design, and tool choices. The service is backed by a dedicated team with extensive experience in supporting ArcelorMittal’s automotive and industrial customers.

Fast Lane completes ArcelorMittal’s comprehensive service offer for carmakers. That service offer begins at the start of the car design cycle, and includes detailed information about material properties, material data cards, digital simulation support, generic steel solutions, life cycle analysis (LCA), and other value-added services. The service offer can continue through to serial production and beyond.

The steels are typically used by customers in three ways: as samples; in pre-serial production testing; and in prototyping. Samples are used by automakers to assess the look and feel of ArcelorMittal’s automotive offer. “This can be useful when an OEM is making initial decisions about which steel to use, and with which coatings,” notes Thomas Gloden, Fast Lane Manager for ArcelorMittal Europe – Flat Products. Once a grade is selected for further study, ArcelorMittal can provide larger samples for pre-serial production tests and prototyping. The material can be supplied in the form of sheets (A4 samples and rectangular blanks), shaped blanks created using laser cutting, slit coils, or small coils. 

To ensure quick delivery of material, ArcelorMittal’s Fast Lane team has access to a large, dedicated stock of samples and material which can be dispatched anywhere in the world. Almost any product in ArcelorMittal’s automotive catalogue can be ordered. 

“The service is backed by an expert team who have access to state-of-the-art equipment,” explains Thomas Gloden. “The Fast Lane team can suggest suitable materials for different applications, provide quotations, process orders, and quickly deliver steel samples or larger volumes. If it is not possible for them to answer your question immediately, they can get support from ArcelorMittal Global R&D, our Early Vendor Involvement (EVI) teams, and our customer technical support (CTS) teams.”

Almost all products and coatings in ArcelorMittal’s Automotive catalogue are available as part of the sample and prototyping support service. This includes drawing steels, advanced high strength steels (AHSS) for cold forming, press hardenable steels for hot stamping, and martensitic grades for roll forming. Different coatings are also available.

“All of these steels are available with XCarb^® green steel certificates, and many are available as XCarb^® recycled and renewably produced steels,” says Paul Brettnacher. “XCarb^® recycled and renewably produced steels are particularly interesting for automakers who want to reduce the carbon footprint of their vehicles. In most cases, the carbon footprint of these steels is up to 60-percent lower than the same steel produced via the conventional blast furnace route.”

“Material is shipped by air or sea, depending on the volume and destination,” notes Thomas Gloden. “It is packed safely to ensure the product arrives in optimum condition – wherever it is being sent in the world.”

To access the service, customers just need to complete the contact form on the Fast Lane web page. They can also get in touch with their usual ArcelorMittal contact person explains Cédric Bouzar: “As soon as we receive your enquiry, the Fast Lane team will contact you to discuss details such as delivery dates and specific requests. It couldn’t be easier to accelerate your new vehicle projects and get in the Fast Lane!”

Our range includes the different product families:

• Drawing steels
• High yield HSS
• 1st Gen AHSS
• 3rd Gen AHSS
• Martensitic steels
• Press Hardenable Steels
• Coatings

For available XCarb^TM recycled and renewably produced steels, Fast Lane service will support your demands with the same objective to deliver material with a short lead time.     

While the material is produced in Europe, the Fast Lane team can deliver it anywhere in the world. Shipping time depends on the delivery option selected. You can choose from standard or express courier delivery.

The steel you need can be delivered at very short notice, depending on stock. Delivery times will be confirmed when your purchase order is received by our team. The material is carefully packed to ensure your steel arrives in perfect condition.