DETROIT, April 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Eleven automotive suppliers won 2006 Automotive News PACE Awards for innovation during a black tie ceremony last night at the Max M. Fisher Music Center in Detroit, Mich. Two automotive manufacturers were also honored with the Automotive News PACE Innovative OEM Collaborator Award during the program.

The 12th annual awards program for innovation in the automotive supply chain was open to suppliers that contribute products, processes, materials or services directly to the manufacture of cars or trucks worldwide. The prestigious PACE (Premier Automotive Suppliers' Contribution to Excellence) Award is presented by Automotive News, Microsoft, SAP and Transportation Research Center Inc. (TRC Inc.). Additional sponsors are the City of Sunderland, the Original Equipment Suppliers Association and WCSX 94.7FM.

Selected from among 22 finalists, the 2006 PACE Award winners -- by category -- are:

Product - Innovations in new products or components or systems that have significant market impact and act as "game changers" in the automotive industry:

* Federal-Mogul Corporation - Monosteel * ITW Shakeproof - BosScrew

* Magneti Marelli Controle Motor - Software Flexfuel Sensor, SFS, for Flexfuel Vehicles

* OSRAM Opto Semiconductors Inc. - Color on Demand * SKF Automotive Division - X-Tracker Asymmetric Hub Bearing Unit

Product-Europe - As above, but for innovations that are developed and first commercialized in Europe:

* Preh Automotive - Windshield Defogging Sensor * Tenneco Automotive Inc. - Low Cost, Low Weight Muffler * Valeo Electrical Systems - StARS Micro-Hybrid

Manufacturing Process & Capital Equipment - Innovations involving game- changing processes (manufacturing or business) or innovative capital equipment that support the automotive supply chain or manufacturing processes.

* Dow Automotive - BETAMATE LESA * PosiCharge - PosiCharge

Information Technology & Services - Innovations in the design and implementation of information systems solutions that enable companies to improve operational performance or for services and delivery of services:

* CogniTens Inc. - OptiCell

"Every winner that emerges from the rigorous Automotive News PACE Award review process is truly exceptional in the industry," said Keith Crain, Automotive News publisher and editor-in-chief. "These 11 companies are clearly playing to win -- today and in the challenging global market ahead."

OEMs receiving Automotive News PACE Innovative OEM Collaborator Awards during last evening's ceremony were:

* Ford Motor Company, for its collaboration on the PosiCharge electric vehicle battery charging system with PosiCharge; and

* General Motors, for its collaboration on the Color Specific Powder Primer, with PPG Industries Inc. - Automotive Coatings.

Innovative OEM Collaborator Award winners were selected by the panel of judges from the 2006 Automotive News PACE Award finalists.

PACE Award winners were chosen following a thorough review of written submissions from each supplier and site visits by the panel of PACE Award judges, drawn from among industry, academic and business leaders.

Profiles of each PACE Award winner's products, processes and/or services are available by visiting Automotive News at http://www.automotivenews.com/pace . Highlights are also available via PACE Award sponsor Web sites -- Microsoft: http://www.microsoft.com/automotive , SAP: http://www.sap.com/industries/automotive/index.epx and TRC: http://www.trcpg.com/pace.htm .

2006 Automotive News PACE Award Sponsor Background

Automotive News is a critical source of news, data, analysis and information for the North American auto industry. It is the flagship of a worldwide group of publications that also includes Automotive News Europe and Automobilwoche. The weekly publication provides in-depth coverage of the auto industry and is written for automakers, dealers and suppliers. Automotive News' circulation is over 80,000 and is the only 100 percent paid publication in the industry. The group's Web sites, http://www.automotivenews.com/ , http://www.autonewseurope.com/ and http://www.automobilwoche.de/ are the global industry's sources of news as it happens.

Microsoft has been working with the automotive industry for more than a decade. Microsoft works with industry-leading partners to develop solutions based on technologies that enable OEMs, suppliers and customers to improve efficiency, effectiveness and knowledge. Through business applications, Microsoft.NET technologies and enterprise platform support, manufacturers are able to accelerate time to market, collaborate globally with engineers, reduce costs and increase visibility into their production and supply chain processes. Visit Microsoft online at http://www.microsoft.com/automotive .

SAP for Automotive provides tailored functionality to help companies integrate their entire value chain. With more than 1,300 customers worldwide, SAP for Automotive supports industry specific business processes for all enterprises, enabling companies to collaborate with business partners, acquire and service customers and attain sustainable competitive advantage. Visit http://www.sap.com/industries/automotive/index.epx for more.

Transportation Research Center Inc. (TRC), an affiliate of Ohio State University, is an independent manager of Transportation Research Center, a transportation proving ground supporting the automotive industry. The company specializes in R&D testing as well as testing to FMVSS and industry certification/compliance standards. Testing for safety, fuel economy, emissions, durability and performance are accomplished at the 4,500-acre facility, which includes: 7.5-mile test track, crash testing facility, 24" HYGE Sled, Static Fixture Labs, emissions laboratory, 50-acre Vehicle Dynamics Area, 9,000-foot skid pad, off-highway area and ride quality roads. TRC Inc. is an ISO 9001 and 14001 registered company. For information on TRC Inc., visit http://www.trcpg.com/ .

CONTACT: Pat Adanti-Joy, APR, +1-586-939-3429, pat.joy@comcast.net , for
Automotive News; or Ellen Dennehy of Automotive News, +1-313-446-6039,
edennehy@crain.com

Web site: http://www.automotivenews.com/pace
http://www.microsoft.com/automotive
http://www.sap.com/industries/automotive/index.epx
http://www.trcpg.com/pace.htm
http://www.automotivenews.com/
http://www.autonewseurope.com/
http://www.automobilwoche.de/
http://www.trcpg.com/