Abstract The present research concentrates on the development of a material model for the AM50A magnesium alloy, frequently used in the automotive industry. This computer model was developed and validated through experimental and numerical simulation of standardized charpy and tensile tests, and intensive microstructural analysis. The material model was further used to predict the behavior of an AM50A magnesium alloy steering wheel armature. Experimental and numerical impact tests were performed, correlated and validated by detailed structural analysis of the armature. Three material models were evaluated in the present research including a bilinear approximation, piecewise linear, and Johnson–Cook models. The piecewise linear model presented accurate predictive capabilities with variations explained by microstructural defects existing within the specimen being tested. In addition, a failure criterion was proposed and assessed during numerical simulations of the charpy impact tests.