Finalists named for SPE auto awards

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.

Do you have an opinion about this story? Do you have some thoughts you'd like to share with our readers? Plastics News would love to hear from you. Email your letter to Editor at [email protected]

Please enter a valid email address.

Please enter your email address.

Please verify captcha.

Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

View the discussion thread.