The PACE Award is an annual award from Automotive News. The focus of the award is an innovation (i) developed primarily by a supplier, (ii) that is new to the automotive industry, (iii) that is in use (e.g., used on a vehicle in production), and (iv) that "changes the rules of the game". Awards have been given for products, materials, processes, capital equipment, software 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, China, the US, Canada, Brazil, Germany, France, Italy, Poland and other European countries. Among the most awarded companies over the years are BorgWarner, Delphi Automotive, Federal-Mogul (acquired in 2018 by Tenneco), Valeo and PPG Industries as well as Robert Bosch GmbH, Gentex Corporation, and Siemens.
Automotive News and Ernst & Young founded the program, which gave out the first awards in 1995 to celebrate innovation, technological advancement and business performance among automotive suppliers. The black-tie awards ceremony has been held just prior to the annual SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) convention in Detroit. The costs of the program (administration, judges out-of-pocket expenses, and the award ceremony) are paid by a combination of application fees and money from sponsors. For the 2019-20 the sponsors were Deloitte, APMA (the Canadian Automotive Modernization Program) and Invest Canada. Historically the annual award cycle began with gathering applications (through the end of summer, with online submissions); the selection of 30-35 finalists, who were announced at the auto industry's annual Global Leadership Conference in October at the Greenbrier; site visits by judges in November and December; the selection of winners in late January or early February; and the announcement of winners at a black tie event in Detroit in March or April.
For the 2019–2020 award cycle PACE added recognition as a PACE Pilot, which targeted pre-commercial innovations, to try to capture the rise of innovations tied to safety, fuel efficiency, vehicle electrification and driving assist/driving automation. This award attempts to capture innovations earlier in the development cycle, e.g. when they show up in announcements at the Consumer Electronics Show.
Awards programs such as PACE are potential sources for studying the nature of technological change. One such attempt is in Smitka and Warrian (2017). In Chapter6, "Automotive Innovation Model and the Supply Chain: PACE Awards", they find that: "The results indicate that technology-pull is dominant, not technology-push. We do observe some innovation that seems to represent using new materials to implement a well-understood approach that was not previously cost-effective or otherwise was not used. We also find the occasional bright idea that in some cases could have been implemented decades ago, had anyone thought to try. However, overall we find that new vehicle technologies are responses to regulatory pressure to improve safety, limit emissions, and improve fuel efficiency." Similarly, David Andrea notes in Forbes that: "While the popular press is having an interesting debate on whether Detroit or Silicon Valley will have the greatest influence over the mobility revolution, the 2019 PACE awards are dominated by the suppliers with the deepest R&D capabilities and longest histories of commercializing innovation. Reviewing the finalists, it is interesting that the vast majority, 26 of the 31 come from what would be considered "traditional suppliers." And only 6 of the firms are located outside 100 miles of industry's Detroit epicenter. Perhaps this is the result of selection bias as the process to submit applications, meet with judges, produce promotional materials and the like is not small in budget of executive time and funds, two resources always in short supply in smaller firms or start-ups."
1990s
1995 Source: AP Technoglass Company Dana Gentex Corporation Johnson Controls Philips Service Industries
1996 Source: Cherry GmbH Delco Electronics Fayette Tubular Products Gage Products Company Progressive Tool and Industries Company (PICO)
1997 Source: Robert Bosch GmbH Dana - Auto Mate 2 Gentex Corporation - Gentex Metal Reflector Johnson Controls - HomeLink Rapid Design Services
1998 Source: 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
1999 Source: 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
2000s
2000 Source: 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 - keyless entry system
2001 Source: 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 - Ergonomically based job assignment employee rotation process in its Tuscaloosa, Alabama plant
Manufacturing Process: Nucap Industries - NUCAP Retention System
Europe: Robert Bosch GmbH - High Pressure Common Rail
Open Category - Enduring Innovations: Shape Corporation - Tubular High Strength Swept Bumpers
Open Category - Environmental: BASF - Integrated Process
2002 Source:
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
2003 Source:
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
2004 Source:
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
2005 Source:
Product: Dura Automotive Systems - Racklift Window Lift System Gentex Corporation - 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
2006 Source:
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 with PosiCharge - Fast Charging Battery Technology
2007 Source:
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
2008 Source:
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