ANDERSON, Ind., Jan. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Remy Inc., headquartered in Anderson, Indiana, is one of the product finalists for the 2008 Automotive News PACE awards for their work on the High Voltage Hairpin (HVH), a key component in the hybrid vehicle power systems.
With efficiency, overall machine size and power density (power per unit volume) in mind, Remy Inc. developed a new winding technology, the High Voltage Hairpin, for electric machines and commercialized it for used in hybrid electric vehicles (HEV's).
Remy's first venture into the hybrid business occurred with Allison Transmissions. Remy provided manufacturing expertise to Allison's Hybrid Bus Transmission project. Together they developed the large electric drive motor located in the transmission.
From this Remy Engineering decided to take the Allison system and see if it could be applied to passenger vehicles. In late 2003 and early 2004 Remy worked on addressing the size constraint issue that was presented when taking a hybrid bus transmission design and applying it to a smaller passenger vehicle.
Once GM made the decision to size the two-mode Hybrid system for a passenger vehicle application, Remy was able to bring their innovations (HVH) to the marketplace.
During the development of the HVH, both GM and Remy realized that the quality, durability and reliability requirements for the motor would have to be high being an integral part of the powertrain.
As a result GM and Remy developed both test procedures and test equipment in order to simulate the temperature excursions, loading characteristics and spin velocities all inside transmission fluid. The HVH has also completed all customer required design validation and process validation testing that has resulted in Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) for the motors.
The first application of the Remy Hybrid Electric Drive motor is the General Motors GMT900 Two Mode Hybrid System Transmission. This ground-breaking technology has been utilized in the 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid. The Tahoe Hybrid has EPA ratings of 21 miles per gallon city and 22 highway.
Since the 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid's introduction it has received numerous awards:
-- Green Car of the Year -- awarded by Green Car Journal at the Los
Angeles Auto Show
-- Automotive Excellence Award 2008 for Energy Efficiency -- awarded by
Popular Mechanics
-- 2007 Breakthrough Award (Products) -- awarded by Popular Mechanics to
GM, Chrysler, Mercedes-Benz and BMW for the Two-Mode Hybrid
-- Automobile Awards Technology of the Year -- GM's Two-Mode Hybrid
System -- awarded by Automobile Magazine
The 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid also came in second place for Truck of the Year award at the North American International Auto Show.
Now Remy's HVH technology which went into the making of the Two-Mode Hybrid System is being honored with being a finalist in the 2008 Automotive News PACE Award.
"I am so proud of everyone here at Remy Inc. The time and dedication that was put into this product is absolutely amazing. It is such a privilege and a mark of distinction to be in the same category as all of these other wonderful companies and products. I look forward to the ceremony in April and seeing how we do," said Tom VanderLaan, Vice President of Global Light Duty Sales.
The PACE Awards are looked as being the industry's benchmark for supplier innovation. The awards are now in its 14th year and is recognized around the world. It honors superior innovation, technological advancement and business performance among automotive suppliers.
The categories for the PACE awards:
-- Product - 15 finalists
-- Product- Europe - three finalists
-- Manufacturing Process and Capital Equipment - three finalists
-- Information Technology and Services - two finalists
Automotive News and co-sponsors Microsoft, SAP and TRC Inc. will present the 2008 awards on April 14, 2008 in Detroit, Michigan.
About Remy International, Inc.:
Remy International, Inc., headquartered in Anderson, Indiana, is a leading manufacturer, remanufacturer and distributor of Delco Remy brand heavy-duty systems and Remy brand starters, alternators and hybrid power technology. The Company also provides worldwide components and core-exchange service for automobiles, light trucks, medium and heavy-duty trucks and other heavy-duty, off-road and industrial applications.
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