Yazaki Named as Finalist in Automotive News PACE Awards
October 11, 2016
This week Automotive News announced 30 automotive suppliers, including Yazaki, which have been named as finalists in the 2017 Premier Automotive Suppliers' Contribution to Excellence (PACE) Awards.
The 30 suppliers represent 34 innovations—ranging from short-range radar to a direct fuel-injection system to an in-car artificial intelligence supercomputer—underscore the auto industry's commitment to improving fuel economy, emissions and safety, among other goals.
Yazaki is nominated for its large aspherical heads-up display (HUD) mirror developed in Makinohara, Japan.
The program, now in its 23rd 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.
"Supplier-initiated innovation is increasing and accelerating. At the same time, innovation is also more global and includes more nontraditional suppliers. We see applications for innovations on everything from chips to hard parts, said J Ferron, PACE director of judging.
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 3 in Detroit, kicking off SAE World Congress.