SMMT Begins Its 2012 Search For Automotive Innovation

The Award recognises innovations within UK automotive manufacturing, design and engineering, acknowledging ideas that have already benefitted, or have the potential to deliver excellence in the sector.

Companies, teams and individuals from across UK automotive are invited to participate in the competition, which will be judged by a panel of industry experts including Paul Everitt, SMMT Chief Executive; Dave Salt, GKN Driveline Chief Engineer, Ian Downing, Business Growth Fund Investment Director, Rob Llewellyn, TV presenter and automotive enthusiast, and Robert Lea, Industrial Editor The Times.

“This Award recognises the exceptional strength of UK automotive innovation, design and engineering. We hope that by celebrating success and showcasing talent we can help fast track new ideas and business opportunities,” said Paul Everitt. “There is no doubting the high calibre of automotive talent out there; the Award for Automotive Innovation 2012 calls for cutting-edge entries which demonstrate technical strength and ingenuity from across the UK sector.”

Last year, over 30 participating organisations represented the full scale of UK automotive industry, with entries covering passenger cars, engines, buses, coaches, light and heavy commercial vehicles and more. Submissions included a hybrid drive system, an EV charging unit and a sophisticated blind spot detection system. Jaguar Land Rover won last year’s Award for the Land Rover Range_e, an affordable plug-in hybrid 4x4 concept with respectable range. In 2010, it was Gordon Murray Design for the iStream manufacturing process.

The Award for Automotive Innovation 2012 is free to enter and the winner will be announced at SMMT’s 96th Annual Dinner on 27 November 2012 at Grosvenor House, Park Lane. To book early-bird discount tickets for the 96th SMMT Annual Dinner, click here. For more details on the Award for Automotive Innovation 2012, click here.