91ÖÆƬ³§¹ÙÍø

91ÖÆƬ³§¹ÙÍø’s prestigious Award for Automotive Innovation, which rewards the most ground-breaking ideas from all areas of the UK automotive sector, has been officially launched.

Returning for a fifth year, the Award – sponsored by GKN and supported by The Times – recognises UK-born concepts and technologies that have the potential to transform the wider automotive industry. Ford Motor Company took the crown last year with its efficient, yet powerful, 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine, which now features in more than 100,000 cars and vans across the country.

Speaking at the SMMTInternational Automotive Summit, Mike Hawes, SMMTChief Executive, said, “The Award for Automotive Innovation is just one example of the work SMMTis doing with its members and government to ensure that the UK remains at the forefront of global vehicle development. The entry window is now officially open so we want to attract an outstanding selection of entries for the 2014 competition.”

UK automotive businesses invest billions every year in automotive R&D; in 2013, industry committed £1.9 billion to furthering the technologies that have seen the UK position itself high in the global automotive hierarchy.

The deadline for entries is midnight on 12 September. A shortlisting process will follow, after which successful entrants will present their innovations to a panel of industry experts. The winner will be announced at the SMMTAnnual Dinner on 25 November, in front of more than 1,000 leading industry figures. All entry criteria can be found at the Award website: www.smmt.co.uk/aai.

SMMTwill run a regular ‘Innovation of the Week’ feature on its website during the submission period, which will take a look at some of the UK’s most important and fascinating automotive innovations through history.