PACE Award Nominees Announced

Automotive News has announced the list of finalists for the 2016 PACE Awards (Premier Automotive Suppliers' Contribution to Excellence). The group includes 28 technologies from 21 different suppliers in seven countries. Delphi has three finalists, while BorgWarner, Faurecia, GKN, Hanon and Valeo have two each.

Now in its 22nd year, the program honors supplier innovations in products, information technology, and manufacturing process and capital equipment. AN says this year's finalists highlight advances in lightweight, fuel-efficient and electrified vehicle technologies.

Teams of independent judges will evaluate the innovations for originality and market impact. Winners will be announced on April 11 in conjunction with the annual SAE World Congress in Detroit.

The finalists and their innovations are:

• AeroVironment: Dual-voltage EV charging cord set
• Beet Analytics Technology: Process visibility system
• BorgWarner: Ceramic diesel cold-start system; electrical-heated thermostat
• Bosch: Linear force solenoid
• Continental: Bi-directional long-range communications system
• Dana: Long two-sided chip cooling
• Delphi: High-voltage splice connection; dual-role hub; viper power device for EV traction drive inverter
• Faurecia: Cover carving technology; exhaust system adaptive valve
• Federal-Mogul: Hybrid induction welding for steel pistons
• FTE Automotive: Low-pressure oil pump assembly for transmission dry-sump lubrication
• Gentex: Full display mirror
• GKN: Premium sideshaft technology; twinster all-wheel-drive system
• Hanon Systems: Centrifrugal air compressor for fuel cell vehicle; deodorization air-conditioning system with UV photocatalyst
• Honeywell: Two-stage electric compressor for boosted fuel cell
• Ichikoh: LED lighting module
• Koito Manufacturing: Single LED bi-functional projector headlamp
• Magna: Smartlatch
• Means Industries: Controllable mechanical diode
• Roechling Automotive: Oil distribution system
• Schaeffler: Clutch plates laser etching
• Valeo: Electric supercharger; water-cooled condenser