Twenty-eight innovations from 21 automotive suppliers have been named finalists for the 2016 Automotive News PACE Awards.
The technologies -- ranging from advanced mirrors to charging technology for electric vehicles to a new approach to all-wheel drive -- underscore the auto industry's advance toward lightweight, fuel-efficient and electrified vehicles.
The program, now in its 22nd year, honors suppliers' innovations in products, information technology, and manufacturing process and capital equipment. The awards are regarded as the Oscars of the automotive components industry.
"Innovation is more complex, more collaborative and connected as vehicles become more cognitive," said J Ferron, PACE director of judging. "Lighter, cleaner engines of all types power connected consumers."
In the coming months, the finalists will host teams of independent PACE judges, who are experts from industry, academia and business. The judges will evaluate the innovations for originality and market impact.
Winners will be announced April 11 at the Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center in Detroit, kicking off SAE World Congress week.
Before that, information on the finalists' innovations will be featured in weekly issues of Automotive News.
The awards are sponsored by EY, Automotive News and Transportation Research Center Inc. SAE International and the Original Equipment Suppliers Association provide further support.
PACE stands for Premier Automotive Suppliers' Contribution to Excellence.
Here are the finalists and their innovations.
> AeroVironment
Monrovia, Calif.
Dual Voltage EV Charging Cord Set
> Beet Analytics Technology
Plymouth, Mich.
ENVISION - Process Visibility System
> BorgWarner Emissions Systems
Ludwigsburg, Germany
Ceramic Diesel Cold-Start System
> BorgWarner Emissions Systems
Oberboihingen, Germany
Electrical Heated Thermostat
> Bosch Gasoline Systems
Farmington Hills, Mich.
Linear Force Solenoid
> Continental Automotive
Regensburg, Germany
Bi-directional Long Range Communications System
> Dana Holding Corp.
Maumee, Ohio
Long Two-Sided Chip Cooling
> Delphi Automotive
Warren, Ohio
High Voltage Splice Connection
> Delphi Automotive
Auburn Hills, Mich.
Dual Role Hub
> Delphi Automotive
Kokomo, Ind.
Viper Power Device for Electrified Vehicle Traction Drive Inverter
> Faurecia
Nanterre, France
Cover Carving Technology
> Faurecia
Columbus, Ind.
Exhaust System Adaptive Valve
> Federal-Mogul
Nuremberg, Germany
Hybrid Induction Welding for Steel Pistons
> FTE Automotive
Ebern, Germany
Low Pressure Oil Pump Assembly for Transmission Dry-Sump Lubrication
> Gentex Corp.
Zeeland, Mich.
Full Display Mirror
> GKN Driveline
Redditch, England
Premium Sideshaft Technology
> GKN Driveline
Reddittch, England
Twinster All-Wheel-Drive System
> Hanon Systems
Daejeon, South Korea
Centrifrugal Air Compressor for Fuel Cell EV
> Hanon Systems
Seoul
Deodorization AC With UV Photocatalyst
> Honeywell Transportation Systems
Plymouth, Mich.
Two-Stage Electric Compressor for Boosted Fuel Cell
> Ichikoh
Isehara-shi, Kanagawa-ken, Japan
LED Light Source Module
> Koito Manufacturing Co.
Shizuoka-shi, Shizuoka-ken, Japan
Single LED Bi-functional Projector Headlamp
> Magna Closures
Newmarket, Ontario
Smartlatch
> Means Industries
Saginaw, Mich.
Controllable Mechanical Diode
> Roechling Automotive
Laives, Italy
Oil Distribution System
> Schaeffler
Wooster, Ohio
Clutch Plates Laser Etching
> Valeo
Cergy-Pontoise Cedex, France
Electric Supercharger
> Valeo
La Verriere, France
Water-Cooled Condenser
