Applications Open for 2007 Automotive News Pace Award

Suppliers' 'Academy Award for Automotive Innovation'

DETROIT, July 11 -- Automotive suppliers seeking a competitive edge can demonstrate industry excellence with a 2007 Automotive News PACE Award. Applications for the 13th annual program, recognizing innovation, technological advancement and business performance, are being accepted through Sept. 8, 2006.

Open to suppliers that contribute products, processes, materials or services directly to the manufacture of cars or trucks, the prestigious PACE (Premier Automotive Suppliers' Contribution to Excellence) Award is jointly presented by Microsoft, SAP, Transportation Research Center Inc. (TRC Inc.) and Automotive News.

Often referred to as the "Academy Award for Automotive Innovation," the Automotive News PACE Award honors suppliers who have embraced innovation or adapted and reinvented themselves to keep abreast of the constantly rising performance bar of the OEM/customer or the rising expectations of consumers. The prestigious program sets the standard for innovation and excellence and has become a significant industry credential.

The 2007 Automotive News PACE Award features in five categories:

Product -- Innovations in new products or services or in new product and service development and introduction processes that have significant market impact and act as "game changers" in the automotive industry.

Product-Europe -- As above, but innovations are developed/first commercialized in Europe.

Information Technology and Services -- Applications in the IT category highlight game-changing innovations in the design and implementation of information systems solutions that enable companies to improve operational performance or delivery of services. Examples of IT innovations include applying information technology to improve product design and product development processes, linking supplier and customer supply chains, developing innovative approaches to connecting employees to company and industry information, the use of information technologies within the vehicle as well as innovations in service offerings. Applicants can be parts suppliers, service suppliers or IT companies.

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

Open -- Innovations in other areas of the automotive supplier industry that cannot be classified into the categories identified above, or are reclassified at the judges' discretion. Past entries have included human resources and sales and marketing.

Following an extensive review process of all finalists, including site visits, 2007 Automotive News PACE Award winners will be announced at a gala ceremony at the Max M. Fisher Music Center in Detroit, Mich. on April 16, 2007.

For complete information and an application visit www.autonews.com/PACE or call 313-446-6039. The application fee is $995 through Sept. 8, 2006. Late entries will be accepted through Sept. 15 with a $1,500 application fee.

The Automotive News PACE Awards are jointly presented by Microsoft, SAP, TRC Inc. and Automotive News. Additional sponsors include City of Sunderland, OESA and WCSX 94.7FM.