There is a strong demand in the automotive industry to introduce more higher strength aluminium body panels in vehicles, to reduce weight and increase fuel efficiency. With conventional ageing heat treatments the cost of producing such components is currently prohibitively high and the application of high performance Al-panels in automotive sector is still marginal. Therefore, the aim of the project is to reduce the cost associated with the panels production shortening the required aging time, optimising corrosion resistance and maintaining an acceptable level of key properties. To explore options for accelerating aging kinetics experimental simulations are carried out. Corrosion resistance is assessed through standardised simulations and characterisation of surfaces and microsurfaces is used to interpret underlying mechanisms.