Suppliers Recognized for Lightweight Innovations in PACE Awards

The winners of this year’s PACE Awards (Premier Automotive Suppliers’ Contribution to Excellence) for product innovation include 11 suppliers from six countries. A pair of French companies, Faurecia and Valeo, each won two awards.

The annual awards, which are sponsored by Automotive News, EY and the Transportation Research Center, are chosen by a panel of independent judges based on product innovation and market impact. The winners were announced at a ceremony Monday night in conjunction with the start of the SAE World Congress in Detroit.

Seven of the 13 product winners this year were recognized for technologies that helped carmakers reduce vehicle weight. Among them: a new process from Faurecia’s Automotive Seating unit that reduces weight while adding design flexibility, and Magna’s new electronic door latch system that integrates several parts.

The full list of winners and their innovations are:

• Bosch: Linear force solenoid
• Delphi Automotive: Dual role hub
• 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 Corp: Full display mirror
• GKN Driveline: Premium sideshaft technology
• Ichikoh: LED light source module
• Koito Manufacturing Co.: Single LED bi-functional projector headlamp
• Magna Closures: Smartlatch
• Valeo: Electric supercharger; water-cooled condenser

Three carmakers—Audi, Ford and Honda—were recognized for their collaboration with suppliers. Audi was selected for its work with FTE Automotive on a transmission oil pump assembly and with Roechling on an oil distribution system.

Ford teamed with GKN Driveline on the supplier’s Twinster all-wheel-drive system. Honda partnered with Continental on a bidirectional long-range communications system.