Finalists named for SPE auto awards

Dec 08, 2023

Detroit — The Automotive Division of the Society of Plastics Engineers has named finalists for the 51st auto innovation awards, with winners to be named at a Nov. 2 event in Livonia, Mich.

Awards to go the automaker, but companies throughout the supply chain take part in the nomination process and are honored during the event.

A grand award will be selected from the individual category winners and a Vehicle Engineering Team Award (VETA) will honor a team from throughout the supply chain for its work on a vehicle.

• General Motors Co.'s 2022 Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, Cadillac Escalade and GMC Yukon for a spoiler closeout seal made using a thermoplastic polyurethane.

• General Motors' Chevrolet Corvette for a low-volume pedestrian protection block in a right-hand drive vehicle for the Japanese market.

• General Motors' 2023 GMC Hummer EV, for a charging accessory that eliminated a need to paint a fiber-reinforced part for weatherability.

• Ford Motor Co. for the 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor for an injection molded C-Brace.

• Ford for a one-piece snorkel body on the 2023 Ford Bronco Everglades edition.

• General Motors' 2023 Cadillac Lyriq for a spoiler that improves rear visibility and lowers mass and costs.

• Hyundai Motor Group's 2022 Kia Sorento, for an injection molded panoramic sunroof frame that reduced weight and part count vs. steel.

• GM's Cadillac Lyriq for a front enclosed illuminated grill made using injection compression molding, reducing mass and costs.

• Rivian Automotive LLC's 2021 Electric Delivery Van for an injection molded thermoplastic polyolefin one-piece plastic fascia.

• GM's 2022 GMC Hummer EV with a polycarbonate injection molded front lights that incorporate 11 functions into a single headlamp design.

• GM's GMC Hummer EV for a large, four-panel modular roof system produed with injection compression molding that helps lower the center of gravity in the vehicle.

• Toyota Motor Corp.'s 2022 Toyota Tundra for a composite seat structure in second row seat backs and cushions using pultruded continuous fiberglass-reinforced polyurethane that is injection overmolded.

• Ford 2023 F-250 and F-350 Super Duty trucks for an integrated console map pocket assembly injection molded with TPO, PC and polypropylene.

• Ford's 2020 Ford Explorer for a pinless assist handle that reduces component count and allows for fully-automated assembly.

• Ford F-250 and F-350 Super Duty trucks for an under-seat storage bin that is collapsible, lockable and injection molded from 100 percent post-industrial recycled content.

• Rivian Automotive 2021 model year truck for a gear tunnel pass-through door to provide access to storage behind the rear seat.

• GM's 2020 Chevrolet Corvette for an exhaust actuator heat shield compression molded with a glass-fiber-reinforced phenolic.

• GM's 2022 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra for a compression molded tension leaf spring, the first all-composite leaf spring for light truck programs.

• Stellantis NV for the 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer's composite engine stabilizer bracket, injection molded in a process that requires no secondary operations.

• GM for the 2023 Cadillac Lyriq's high damping AC compression bracket which allows for a quieter interior.

• VDL Bus & Coach for the Plug & Play Fuel Cell Media Supply Unit, an injection molded and laser welded supply system for fuel cell vehicles.

• Ford F-150 Lightning's injection molded high voltage power distribution system that reduces mass while maintaining electromagnetic shielding.

• Jaguar Land Rover's 2022 Range Rover for an EV battery pack end cap injection molded to replace die cast aluminum.

• SAIC General Motors Corp. Ltd.'s 2022 Chevrolet Monza for a new top pad instrument panel skin that uses injection molding in place of slush molding.

• GM's 2023 Cadillac Lyriq for a polycarbonate and silicone copolymer used for a dual cardset EV charger lens.

• The 2023 GM Cadillac Lyriq for a thermoplastic battery electric vehicle thermal management solutions injection molded with nylon 6/12, nylon 6/6 and polypropylene.

• GM's 2022 GMC Hummer EV Pick-up for an ultra-low CLTE TPO that allows for tighter gap tolerances between parts on vehicle exteriors.

• GM's 2023 Chevrolet Blazer for a combination lamp and applique lightblade

• GM's 2020 Chevrolet Equinox for a start/stop accumulator piston injection molded with nylon 4/6 in place of an acluminum part.

• GM's 2022 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra for a high pressure oil cooler gasket seal made using a new ethylene acrylic thermoplastic vulcanizate.

• GM's 2020 Chevrolet Silverado for a thick optical lens for a low-beam projection lens.

• GM's 2021 GMC Yukon for multi-station, thick-lens molding using PMMA for a light pipe and polycarbonate in a light blade.

• GM's 2022 Chevrolet Blazer for direct exposure laser welding that replaced hot-plate welding, allowing for more complex geometries.

• GM's 2020 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra for post-industrial recycled scrap comprised of TPO skins converted into an olefon foam, replacing 50 percent of virgin TPO in the system.

• GM's 2020 GMC Hummer EV for a light color capable recycled interior trim produced using 50 percent post-consumer recycled PP.

• GM's 2022 Cadillac Escalade for a reprocessed post-industrial recycled polycarbonate in a high-glass piano black trim.

• Rivian's 2021 electric delivery van using 100 percent recycled PET coverstock and 40 percent recycled PET substrate in a headliner.

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