Transportation Innovators Recognized by Environmentally Friendly Award

    WASHINGTON, May 18 The Society of Automotive Engineers
(SAE International) has just completed the presentation of a new international
award established to recognize individuals, or teams of individuals, for
innovative solutions to pollution prevention in transportation.  The award,
"Environmental Excellence in Transportation (E2T)," was presented to winners
in eight specific categories at the SAE Government/Industry Meeting in
Washington, D.C.

    "This is the first time that we have been able to recognize individuals in
the transportation industry that have made a positive contribution to
improving the environment while still making a product suited to the
customer," stated Robert Kainz, Award Committee Chair.

    Recycling innovations played a key role in awards for two winners.  A team
of engineers from Delphi Automotive Systems Corp. was recognized for their
design of a new instrument panel skin that uses 100% recycled TPO material,
while another team from DaimlerChrysler Corporation won honors for the use of
recycled tires to produce new automotive radiator seals.  Where new methods
and tools were considered, Dr. Matthias Finkbeiner received an award for the
life cycle engineering of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class vehicle.

    Automotive paint topics also brought luster to a team from Ford Motor
Company for their improved design of automotive paint booth air flow
management, and also to a team from DaimlerChrysler Corporation for paint
material innovations that demonstrate reduced environmental impact.

    Shelly Launey, of the U.S. Department of Energy, received an E2T Award in
the education category for the DOE Sponsored Collegiate Vehicle Competitions.
In making vehicles themselves smarter, a new oil life monitor, that lets the
operator know when the motor oil should be changed, earned credit for a team
from General Motors Corporation.

    In the category of Mobile Energy and Emissions, The Auto Maker's Choice
Clean Fuel Specification and Endorsement Program, developed by the Canadian
Vehicle Manufacturers Association, earned an E2T for its development team.

    In addition to the eight E2T award winners, 8 additional finalists were
recognized for their significant contribution toward making transportation
more environmentally friendly.  These finalists were individuals and teams
from General Motors, Honda, DaimlerChrysler, Deplhi, Underwriters Laboratories
and IQuES.

    SAE is already accepting nominations for the 2nd Annual Environmental
Excellence in Transportation Awards, which are scheduled to be presented at
the SAE Government/Industry Meeting in Washington DC in May of 2002.