GONG: Shortlist announced by SMMT
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) have revealed the shortlisted entries for their Award for Automotive Innovation 2013.
Sponsored by GKN Driveline, the Award – now in its fourth year – showcases the UK’s capabilities in automotive design and engineering by identifying exceptional, industry-transforming innovations.
This year’s shortlist spans the breadth of the sector, from supercar design to warranty analytics.
The SMMT Award for Automotive Innovation 2013 shortlist is:
- Ford Motor Company: 1.0 Ecoboost engine, for its big-engine performance and 65mpg, all from a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder powerplant.
- McLaren Automotive: McLaren P1, for being the most advanced combination of motorsport technologies ever brought together on a road car.
- Productiv Ltd and Tata Steel: The Proving Factory, for being a pioneering manufacturing initiative to bridge the ‘Valley of Death’ between R&D and production.
- We Predict: Indico, for being a new, comprehensive application of warranty analytics forecasting software.
- YASA Motors: YASA-400, for being a lightweight but powerful electric motor, already featured in the Jaguar C-X75 supercar concept.
- Zircotec Ltd: Zircotec Thermohold, for being an all-new approach to thermal coating technology, protecting carbon composite components from heat damage.
Mike Hawes, Chief Executive of the SMMT, said: “The outstanding quality of this year’s Award entries clearly reflects the wealth of design, R&D and engineering talent that we have in the UK automotive sector.
“Diversity is one of the UK’s strengths and I am pleased to see so many different areas of the sector represented on the shortlist.
“I look forward to judging the Award.”
The shortlisted entrants will now have to present their innovations in front of a judging panel formed of leading industry figures.
SMMT Award for Automotive Innovation 2013 judges are:
- Dave Salt, Chief Engineer of GKN Driveline.
- Jim Higginbotham, Managing Director of Large Corporate and Special Asset Finance at Lombard.
- Mike Hawes, Chief Executive of the SMMT.
- John Laughlin, Programme Manager for Low Carbon Vehicles at the Technology Strategy Board.
- Robert Lea, Industrial Editor of The Times.
The winner will be announced at the SMMT Annual Dinner on November 26 at Grosvenor House Hotel, London.
