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SMDI awards innovative use of AHSS for environmental sustainability

The Steel Market Development Institute (SMDI), a business unit of the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) based in Washington, D.C., has presented the annual Men and Women of Steel Awards to two recipients in recognition of their innovative use of AHSS.

The Industry Innovator Award was presented to Mike Sweers, chief engineer for the Toyota Tundra® and Tacoma® vehicle programs and vice president of engineering design – interior at Toyota Technical Center in Ann Arbor, Mich. The award acknowledges automotive designers or engineers who showcase extensive innovation in their use of AHSS. Toyota, through its Environmental Challenge 2050, intends to reduce vehicle CO₂ emissions by 90 percent in comparison to 2010.

The Community Hero Award, which recognizes individuals and organizations whose work using steel improves the quality of life of the community, was presented to the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Vehicle Technologies. This office supports R&D and deployment of efficient and sustainable highway transportation technologies—including plug-in electric vehicles, batteries, electric drives, advanced combustion engines, lightweight materials, and alternative fuels—to improve fuel economy and minimize petroleum use.