General Motors design team honored for innovative use of advanced steel

The Steel Market Development Institute (SMDI), a business unit of the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), was awarded General Motors Co.’s Chevrolet Silverado® and GMC Sierra 1500® design team with the 2014 Automotive Excellence Award. The team, which successfully incorporated advanced steels to enhance safety and performance and offer low-cost lightweighting benefits, was recognized at the 13th annual Great Designs in Steel (GDIS) seminar in Livonia, Mich.

Thomas Grabowski, design release engineer, accepted the award on behalf of the GM design team. During last year's seminar, Grabowski delivered the award-winning presentation titled "Advanced High-Strength Steel Technologies in the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado."

The 2014 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500 feature AHSS stampings, which enable significant increases in safety performance. According to Grabowski, the vehicles' designs also feature enhanced mass efficiency, reduced tooling investment, and an average weight reduction of 110 lbs. compared to their major competitors.

The SMDI Automotive Excellence Award recognizes individuals or teams from automakers, suppliers, or the academic community who embrace innovation and make significant contributions to the advancement of steel in the automotive marketplace. Award winners are chosen from presenters at the previous year's GDIS seminar. Candidates are rated in several categories, including implementation in production; overall contribution to the advancement of steel; challenges and benefits associated with cost, mass reduction, and performance; replacement of competitive materials; and structural performance and efficiency.