TROY, Mich.—Dayco Products L.L.C. has been named a finalist for the 2017 Automotive News PACE awards for the firm's ACTIVAC vacuum generation system braking technology.
Dayco's new system includes an array of stand-alone components—including aspirators, ejectors, flow control valves, check valves and noise attenuators—all built to amplify or create a vacuum, while reducing vehicle weight, according to the company.
It said the braking system replaces costly, heavy, fuel-consuming mechanical vacuum pumps used on many engines today.
The push for lightweight systems is critical for the automotive sector as automakers scramble to meet federally mandated miles per gallon standards with its vehicles in the years to come, Dayco maintained. Consumers also benefit from a lower and more consistent brake pedal force, it said.
“At Dayco, a core value for all 4,600 of our associates is a drive to innovate,” said CEO John Bohenick. “Dayco has a 111-year-old history of industry leading firsts that have improved the effectiveness, efficiency and impact of products in ways that are continuously benefiting customers and consumers alike. We are driven to improving how the world moves and are honored to be included in this year's distinguished list of PACE Award finalists.”
Automotive News' PACE awards have honored superior innovation, technological advancement and business performance among automotive suppliers for 23 years. The 2017 awards will be presented on April 3, 2017, at the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center in Detroit, kicking off SAE World Congress week.