Magna innovations earn top SPE honours

Magna International has received top honors from the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) Central Europe at the Automotive Awards Ceremony on October 17 in Dusseldorf, Germany, to recognise the industry's most innovative use of plastics.

A skid plate for a premium European automaker won the award as the top part across all categories, in addition to placing first in the exteriors category. Magna completed a near sweep of the exteriors category with its active grille shutter and Cadillac ATS-V and CTS-V carbon fiber hood placing second and fourth respectively. The Ford Mustang Shelby Cobra GT350 grille opening reinforcement placed fourth in the powertrain category.

"Tonight's multiple recognition awards show the industry how innovation is embedded in our culture and in the products we deliver. We are very excited that SPE has recognized our ingenuity, passion and professionalism in working alongside customers to deliver innovative technologies. These awards reinforce our strength in the exteriors market," said Magna’s Exteriors President Grahame Burrow.

All four products recognised at the event were developed with lightweighting and fuel efficiency in mind as manufacturers look for every possible way to make improvements in these areas. The skid plate, developed in conjunction with material supplier A Schulman, is an injection moulded, plastic part with a silver metallic look that also helps reduce vehicle weight. The active grille shutter is located on the outer, visible surface of the vehicle's grille and has louvers that electronically open and close to deflect air, which reduces drag and lowers emissions. The Cadillac ATS-V and CTS-V carbon fiber hood weighs roughly 27 percent less than an aluminum version and is the first of its kind in mass production. The Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 carbon fiber grille opening reinforcement weighs 24 percent less than traditional steel reinforcements and provides superior fit and performance.