Jul 27 2007
OSRAM Opto Semiconductors today announced that it was named a 2006 Automotive News PACE Award winner at a gala ceremony in Detroit, MI last night.
The prestigious award recognizes automotive suppliers for superior innovation, technological advancement and business performance. This is the first PACE ( P remier A utomotive Suppliers' C ontribution to E xcellence) award win for the solid-state lighting division of OSRAM GmbH.
OSRAM was recognized for its advanced C olor o n D emand (COD) L ight- E mitting D iode (LED) innovation, first successfully introduced in General Motors' 2006 Chevrolet HHR, Monte Carlo and Impala cars. This breakthrough lighting technology enables automotive makers to specifically illuminate or paint the car interior cluster, radio buttons and some switches in any corporate brand color. This color effect serves to distinguish car brands from the pack as well as enhance the driver's experience.
Before OSRAM's innovation, auto makers appreciated that LEDs offered a durable and energy-efficient way to provide interior lighting and instrument cluster backlighting, yet they had few light color choices.
OSRAM, in effect, changed the few black and white interior color choices into a full spectrum of technicolor and white LEDs. This innovation was based on OSRAM's application of blue LED light to "excite," or activate yellow phosphor materials, while later adding red and green phosphor materials to the mix.
“OSRAM is honored to receive the Automotive News PACE Award as an acknowledgement of the Color on Demand technology,” said Ellen Sizemore, North American director, LED and IR Products Group. “This innovation not only brings unlimited color possibilities to auto makers to improve the driver's experience, but it also offers countless enhancements to safety and roadway signage and other forms of lighting.”
The 12 th annual PACE Award was presented by Automotive News , Microsoft, SAP and Transportation Research Center Inc. (TRC Inc.). The competition was open to suppliers who contribute products, processes, materials or services directly to the manufacture of cars or trucks. The Automotive News PACE Award is accepted around the world as the industry symbol of innovation.
OSRAM Opto Semiconductors won in the Product Category which recognizes innovations in new products or services or in new product and service development and introduction processes that have significant market impact and act as “game changers” in the automotive industry.
The Automotive News PACE Award ceremony also recognized suppliers in three additional categories: Product – Europe; Information Technology and Services, Manufacturing Processes and Capital Equipment.
OSRAM Opto Semiconductors earned the Automotive News PACE Award winner status following an extensive review by an independent panel of judges including a comprehensive written application and a site visit.
For complete details of the 2006 Automotive News PACE Award, including a listing and profile of OSRAM Opto Semiconductors, visit www.automotivenews.com/pace.
http://www.osram-os.com