Alcoa and Chinese bus manufacturer Zhengzhou Yutong Bus Company have unveiled two new environmentally-friendly bus prototypes that will be displayed and road tested during the Olympics in Beijing.

"The partnership between Yutong Bus and Alcoa on the new sustainable bus demonstrates long-term commitment to the support of our government's policy to build mass transportation vehicles in harmony with society — people and the environment," stated Mr. Tang Yuxiang, chairman and CEO of Zhengzhou Yutong.

The new aluminum-intensive bus body is reportedly 46% lighter than a traditional bus and, therefore, requires less fuel and emits fewer greenhouse gases. The new buses feature Alcoa's spaceframe technology as well as Alcoa Dura-Bright forged aluminum wheels, Alcoa aluminum side and roof panels, and Alcoa fasteners.

The new Yutong buses will now enter extensive road trials, including helping to service transportation needs in Beijing during the Olympic Games and other major cities in China. The newly designed buses are part of a partnership to apply world-class structural design, materials and manufacturing technologies to develop a new generation of energy-efficient, environmentally-friendly buses for China's growing commuting public.

"Yutong Bus Company looks forward to working with Alcoa on the road trials and to combine the best thinking of both companies to explore the opportunities that aluminum presents to develop a whole new family of ‘Green' buses, not only for China but the world. This project shows Yutong and Alcoa as industry leaders in innovation and social responsibility," Tang added.