The PACE Award (Premier Automotive Suppliers’ Contribution to Excellence Award) is an annual award from Automotive News in collaboration with Ernst & Young and through 2016 the Transportation Research Center Inc. (TRC Inc.). For the 2016-17 awards OESA, the Original Equipment Suppliers Association, will be a sponsor alongside EY. Automotive News and EY founded the award to celebrate innovation, technological advancement and business performance among automotive suppliers. It is given annually since 1995 in a black-tie ceremony the week of the SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) convention in Detroit.
The focus of the award is an innovation developed primarily by a supplier, that is new to the automotive industry, that is in use, and that "changes the rules of the game." Awards have been given for products, materials, processes, capital equipment and services. A panel of independent judges from industry, finance, research, and academia choose finalists from the initial applicants, make site visits to evaluate the innovation, and then gather to select winners, independent of the sponsors. Winners to date include suppliers from Japan, Korea, the US, Canada, Brazil and an array of European countries. Among the most awarded companies over the years are BorgWarner, Delphi Automotive, Federal-Mogul and PPG Industries as well as Robert Bosch GmbH, Gentex Corporation, Johnson Controls and Siemens AG.
From 1997, citations describing the winning innovations are available on the Automotive News PACE Award web site.
AP Technoglass Company
Dana
Gentex Corporation
Johnson Controls
Philips Service Industries
Cherry GmbH
Delco Electronics
Fayette Tubular Products
Gage Products Company
Progressive Tool and Industries Company (PICO)
Robert Bosch GmbH
Dana - Auto Mate 2
Gentex Corporation - Gentex Metal Reflector
Johnson Controls - HomeLink
Rapid Design Services
Benteler International - Thermally Efficient, Air-Gap Manifold and Exhaust Tube Applications, Parts and Systems
Cooper Automotive/Wagner Lighting - Chrysler Dakota and Durango Front Lamp Assembly and Related Manufacturing and Assembly Process
Dürr AG - Radiant Floor Construction (RFC) Paint Oven
Eaton Corporation - Eaton Spicer Solo
Gentex Corporation - Aspheric Auto-Dimming Exterior Mirror
Johnson Controls - CorteX
ASHA Corporation - GERODISC (limited slip, hydro-mechanical coupling device)
Benteler International - WIN88 Rear Twist Beam Axle
Delphi Corporation - Stabilitrak
Goodyear - run-flat tires
Meritor - RHP Highway Parallelogram Trailer Air Suspension System
Motorola - 32-bit engine management controller
Stackpole Limited - high load-bearing Powdered Metal Parts
Teleflex Automotive Group - Adjustable Pedal System
Autoliv - ASH-2 inflationary device
Delphi Delco Electronics Systems - Adaptive Cruise Control
Gentex Corporation - Binary, Complementary Synthetic-White LED Illuminators
The Gleason Works - Power Dry Cutting/UMC Ultima Axle Gear Manufacturing
Lumileds - SnapLED
PPG Industries - Powder Clearcoat Paint
Rieter - Ultra Light acoustic vehicle treatment
Siemens AG - keyless entry system
Product Innovation:
Hendrickson International - Integrated Front Air Suspension and Steer Axle System
PPG Industries - Acoustic Coating
Raytheon - Night Vision
Tenneco - ASD (Acceleration Sensitive Damping)
Information Technology/Internet:
Delphi Automotive - Math Based Metal Removal (MBMR) software
Quality Measurement Control - CM4D Analyze software system
Management Practice:
ZF Friedrichshafen AG - Ergonomically based job assignment employee rotation process in its Tuscaloosa, Alabama plant
Manufacturing Process:
Nucap Industries - NUCAP Retention System
Europe:
Micronas - Linear Hall effect sensors
Robert Bosch GmbH - High Pressure Common Rail
Open Category - Enduring Innovations:
Shape Corporation - Tubular High Strength Swept Bumpers
Open Category - Environmental:
BASF - Integrated Process
Product Innovation:
Delphi Automotive - Quadrasteer
Delphi Deco Electronics Systems - Passive Occupant Detection System, Generation II (PODS II)
Goodyear - Wrangler maximum traction/reinforced, off-road tire (MT/R)
PPG Industries - Transportation Coating - FrameCoat Electrocoating
The POM Group - Direct Metal Deposition process
Europe:
Robert Bosch GmbH - Aerotwin windshield wipers
ZF Getriebe GmbH
Information Technology:
Engineous Software - iSight software for process integration and design optimization
Product Innovation:
3M - Solar Reflecting Film
Delphi Automotive - MagneRide variable suspension damping
Federal-Mogul Corporation - Wagner ThermoQuiet Brake Pads and Shoes
Material Sciences Corporation - Acoustically engineered steel laminate Quiet Steel
PPG Industries - Ceramic clearcoat paint
Product Europe:
Siemens VDO Automotive - Piezo Common Rail Diesel Direct Injection System
Manufacturing Process & Capital Equipment:
Bishop Steering Technology - Warm Forging Die and Integrated Automatic Precision Forging Cell
Dürr AG - RoDip 3 electro-coating
The POM Group - RapiDIES foam forming process
Robert Bosch GmbH - Cassette Chrome Plating Process
Information Technology & Services:
Perceptron Inc. - AutoGauge FMS In-Process Measuring System
Product Innovation:
Delphi Delco Electronics Systems - Delphi Forewarn Back-up Aid and Side Alert
Denso - Very High Pressure Solenoid Fuel Injection System
Johnson Controls - Overhead Rail Vehicle Personalization System
Visteon - Long Life Filtration Systems
Product Europe:
TRW Automotive - Active Control seatbelt retractor
Process:
BASF - ColorCARE software for controlling and comparing paint color
DuPont - Wet on Wet Two Tone Products
Filter Specialists - FERRX 5000 magnetic separation device to remove ferrous particles of the initial, e-coat, prior to the application of base coat paint
Information Technology:
AutoForm Engineering - DieDesigner Stamping FEA Simulation Geometry Generation
Delphi Automotive - horizontal modeling and digital process design for CAD/CAM
Motorola - VIAMOTO navigation system
Product:
Dura Automotive Systems - Racklift Window Lift System
Gentex - SmartBeam Headlamp Dimming Microelectronics Solution
Illinois Tool Works - Direct Fuel System (DFS)
Multimatic - I-Beam Control Arm
Tenneco - Kinetic RFS (Reverse Function Stabilizer) technology
Valeo - Lane Departure Warning System
Product Europe:
Advanced Automotive Antennas - Fractal Antennas
BorgWarner - DualTronic dual clutch transmission - more commonly known as Volkswagen Group's Direct-Shift Gearbox (DSG)
Siemens VDO Automotive - Information Systems Passenger Cars reconfigurable color head-up display
Manufacturing Process & Capital Equipment:
Siemens VDO Automotive - DEKA VII Low Pressure Electronic Gasoline Fuel Injectors
Information Technology & Services:
i2 Technologies - Optimal Scheduler software for auto assembly plants
Innovative OEM Collaborator Awards:
Chrysler with Dura Automotive Systems - Improved Window-Lift Systems
Mercedes-Benz with Sick AG - Entry/Exit Light Curtain
Product:
Federal-Mogul Corporation - Monosteel Diesel Piston
Illinois Tool Works - BosScrew Fastener
Magneti Marelli - Software Flexfuel Sensor (SFS) for Flexible-fuel vehicles
Osram Opto Semiconductors - Color on Demand interior lighting
SKF - X-Tracker Asymmetric Hub Bearing Unit
Product Europe:
Preh Automotive - Windshield Defogging Sensor
Tenneco - Low Cost, Low Weight Muffler
Valeo - StARS Micro-Hybrd system
Manufacturing Process & Capital Equipment:
Dow Automotive - Betamate LESA Adhesive System
PosiCharge - Battery Charging System
Information Technology:
CogniTens - OptiCell Non-Contact Measuring System for quality control inspection
Innovative OEM Collaborator Awards:
General Motors with PPG Industries - Color Harmony Process
Ford Motor Company with PosiCharge - Fast Charging Battery Technology
Product:
Alcoa - Dura-Bright Wheels with XBR Technology
Autoliv - Safety Vent Airbag
Federal-Mogul Corporation - HTA (High Temperature Alloy) Exhaust Gaskets
Halla Climate Control Corp - Wave Blade Fan and Saw Tooth Shroud
Valeo - Multi-Beam Radar (MBR) Blind-Zone Radar Sensor
Product Europe:
BorgWarner Turbo & Emissions Systems - BorgWarner Turbo & Emissions Systems Gasoline Turbocharger with Variable Turbine Geometry
Federal-Mogul Corporation Goetze Diamond Coating (GDC) (Piston Ring Coating)
Manufacturing Process & Capital Equipment:
Behr GmbH & Co. KG - BehrOxal surface treatment for corrosion protection
DuPont - DuPont EcoConcept paint and process
Hirotec - E3 Hemming Press
Information Technology:
RTT USA - RTT DeltaGen visualization toolset
Tenneco - Diesel Aftertreatment Predictive Development Process
Innovative OEM Collaborator Awards:
Porsche with BorgWarner Turbo & Emissions Systems - BorgWarner Turbo & Emissions Systems Gasoline Turbocharger with Variable Turbine Geometry
Porsche with BorgWarner TorqTransfer Systems - BorgWarner High Energy ITM3e AWD System
Volkswagen with DuPont - DuPont EcoConcept paint and process
Product:
Cummins - Cummins 6.7-liter Turbo diesel
Dow Automotive - IMPAXX Energy Absorbing Foam
Eaton Corporation - CRUTONITE Valve Alloy
Gentex Corporation - Rear Camera Display (RCD) Mirror
Magneti Marelli - Tetrafuel System for use with Gasoline, Ethanol or Compressed Natural Gas
Xanavi Informatics Corporation and Sony Corporation - Around View Monitor (AVM)
Product Europe:
BorgWarner Turbo & Emissions Systems - Turbocharger with R2S Regulated Two-Stage Technology
Continental AG - Direct Injection System for Gasoline Applications
Valeo - Park 4U Semi-Automatic Parallel Parking
Manufacturing Process & Capital Equipment:
PPG Industries - Green Logic Paint Detackification Process
Webasto - Panoramic Polycarbonate Roof Module
Information Technology and Services:
Delphi Automotive - Sirius Backseat TV
Innovation Partnership Awards:
Chrysler with Mahle GmbH - CamInCam Variable valve timing (VVT) camshaft
Honda with Takata Corporation - Motorcycle Airbag System
Nissan with Xanavi Informatics Corporation and Sony Corporation - Around View Monitor (AVM)
Product:
BorgWarner Morse TEC - Morse TEC CTA Camshaft Phasing System
Eaton Corporation - Eaton Twin Vortices Supercharger - TVS
Futuris Automotive - Tufted PET Carpet
Magna Mirrors - BlindZone Mirror
Product Europe:
BorgWarner BERU Systems - Pressure Sensor Glow Plug (PSG) for Diesel Engines
LuK GmbH & Co. - LuK Double Clutch for Double Clutch Transmissions
TI Automotive - Saddle-Shaped PZEV Plastic Fuel Tank
Manufacturing Process & Capital Equipment:
Alcoa - Alcoa's Vacuum Die Casting (AVDC) for Lightweight Door Assemblies
Henkel - Bonderite TecTalis Pre-treatment Process
Information Technology & Services:
Dassault Systèmes - DELMIA Automation digital manufacturing and production software solution
Microsoft - Microsoft Auto
Innovation Partnership Awards:
Ford Motor Company with BorgWarner Morse TEC
General Motors with Futuris Automotive
Product:
Delphi Automotive - Electronically Scanning Radar
Dura Automotive Systems - Horizontal Sliding Rear Window with Defrost
Meridian Lightweight Technologies - Single Piece Cast Magnesium Liftgate Inner Panel
PPG Industries - Super High Power Electrocoat
TI Automotive - Dual Channel Single Stage (DCSS 39-50) Electric fuel Pump
WABCO Vehicle Control Systems - OptiDrive Transmission Automation System
Product Europe:
Continental/NGK Insulators - Smart NOx Sensor
Delphi Corporation Powertrain Systems Division - Delphi direct Acting Piezo Injector
Federal-Mogul Corporation - Bayonet Connection System for Profile Wiper Blades
ZF Getriebe GmbH - ZF 8HP 8 Automatic Transmission
Manufacturing Process & Capital Equipment:
Henkel - Aquence Autodeposition and Co-Cure Paint Process
Dürr AG - EcoDryScrubber paint overspray retrieval system
Federal-Mogul Corporation - DuraBowl Piston Reinforcement Process
Federal-Mogul Corporation - High Precision Electro-Erosion Machining
Johnson Controls/Nordenia Deutschland - molded polypropylene (PP) Thin Film
Informatian Technology & Services:
Siemens PLM Software - Teamcenter In-Vehicle Software (IVS) Management System
Innovation PArtnership Awards:
Bombardier Recreational Products with Robert Bosch GmbH - Vehicle Stability System (VSS) for a 3-Wheeled Vehicle
Ford Motor Company with Clarion Corporation of America - Next Generation Navigation System
Ford Motor Company with Dura Automotive Systems - Horizontal Sliding Rear window with Defrost
Ford Motor Company with Meridian Lightweight Technologies - Single Piece Cast Magnesium Liftgate Inner Panel
Product:
Delphi Automotive - Delphi Multec GDi Fuel Injector
Federal-Mogul Corporation - EcoTough Piston Coating for Gasoline Engines
Federal-Mogul Corporation - Low-Friction LKZ Oil Control Ring (Innovative Two-piece Oil Ring for Direct-Injection Gasoline Engines)
Henkel - Terophon High Damping Foam
Honeywell Turbo Technologies - Honeywell DualBoost Turbocharger for Medium Duty Diesel Engines
Janesville Acoustics - Molded Fiber IP Closeputs with Integrated Lighting and Ducts
Key Safety Systems - Inflatable Seat Belt System
Mahle GmbH - Electrical Waste Gate Actuator
Osram Opto Semiconductors GmbH - LED Headlamp
Robert Bosch GmbH - Bosch P2 Parallel Full Hybrid Electric Vehicle System
Schaeffler Technologies - Lightweight Balance Shaft with Roller Bearings
Manufacturing Process:
Takata Corporation - Vacuum Folding Technology
Innovative Partnership Awards:
Chrysler with Janesville Acoustics - Molded Fiber IP Closeputs with Integrated Lighting and Ducts
Ford Motor Company with Dassault Systèmes - Powertrain Digital Integration and Automation (PDIA)
Ford Motor Company with Key Safety Systems - Inflatable Seat Belt System
Product:
BorgWarner Turbo Systems - Turbocharger for Internal Combustion Engines with Low-Pressure Exhaust Gas Recirculation
Delphi Automotive - Delphi L-Shape Crimp for 0.13 mm2 wire size
Hendrickson Auxiliary Axle Systems - Complient Tie rod (CTR) Assembly and Damening System with PerfecTrak Technology
Honeywell Turbo Technologies - High Temperature, Ball Bearing (HTBB) VNT Turbo
Lear Corporation - Lear Solid State Smart Junction Box (S3JB)
Magna Mirrors - Infinity Mirror with touch screen technology
Methode Electronics Innovative TouchSensor Controls to Ford's MyFord Touch User Interface System
Schaeffler Technologies - UniAir Fully Variable Valve Lift System
Valeo - VisioBlade System (high-efficiency adaptive windshield washer system)
Manufacturing Process:
Delphi Automotive - Delphi Thermal Multi Port Folded Tube Condenser
Federal-Mogul Corporation - Two-Dimensional Ultrasonic Testing for Raised Gallery Diesel Pistons (Manufacturing Process)
Nalco Company - APEX Program-Sustainable Technology for Paint Detackification
PPG Industries - B1 and B2 Compact Process Paint Technology
3M/Esys Automation - Robotic Production System with Wheel Weights for Precision Tire and Wheel Balancing
Innovation Partnership Awards:
Fiat Powertrain and Chrysler with Schaeffler Technologies - UniAir Fully Variable Valve Lift System
Ford Motor Company with Dana - Active Warm-up Heat Exchanger with Integrated Thermal Bypass Valve
Product
BorgWarner Turbo Systems - Regulated 3--turbocharger System (R3S)
Brose North America - Hands-free Liftgate Opener
Continental Interior Division, Body and Security - Tire Pressure Monitoring System (LocSync)
Continental Chassis & Safety Division, ADAS Business Unit - 24GHZ ISM Band Short Range Radar
Dana - Diamond Series Driveshafts
Delphi Automotive - F2E Distributed Pump Common Rail System
Federal-Mogul - Coating for Engine Bearings
GPM GmbH - Electro-Hydraulic Controlled Flow (ECF) Water Pump
Halla Visteon Climate Control Corporation - Metal Seal Fitting
PPG Industries - Andaro Tint Dispersion
Valeo - Air Intake Module with integrated Water Charge Air Cooler
Manufacturing Process and Capital Equipment
Federal-Mogul - Injection Molding of High Modulus Bonded Pistons used in High Pressure Transmissions
Schuler Hydroforming Division - Hydroforming and Global Die Standadization Process
Information Technology
Hughes Telematics - Automotive Software Remote Update Technology
Innovation Partnership Winners
BMW with BorgWarner Turbo Systems - Regulated 3-turbocharger System (R3S)
General Motors with Takata Corporation - Front Center Airbag
Mercedes-Benz with Hughes Telematics - Automotive Software Remote Update Technology
Toyota with Continental Chassis & Safety Division, ADAS Business Unit - 24GHZ ISM Band Short Range Radar
Volkswagen with Valeo - Air Intake Module
