SAE Franz F. Pischinger Powertrain Innovation Award Goes to Dr. John H. Johnson

DETROIT, April 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- FEV, Inc., a leading developer of advanced powertrain and vehicle technologies, announced today that the third annual SAE Franz F. Pischinger Powertrain Innovation Award will be presented to Dr. John H. Johnson, presidential professor emeritus at Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Mich. The award will be presented by Gary Rogers, President and CEO of FEV, Inc., at the annual SAE awards ceremony held in conjunction with the 2011 World Congress at Cobo Center in Detroit.

"I am honored that Dr. Johnson is being presented this award," said the award's namesake, Prof. Franz Pischinger. "His demonstrated leadership and dedication in the classroom, the research lab, and on the national stage exemplifies the spirit of this award."

Dr. Johnson is a pioneer in the area of diesel emissions, beginning in the 1970s when he helped establish measurement methods and procedures used to the first Federal smoke standard and in 1973 for the State of California gaseous emission standards for heavy duty on-highway vehicles. His research has involved determining how to measure and control diesel emissions using advanced methodologies to develop an advanced combustion system to meet stringent emission standards while reducing fuel consumption.

Johnson has participated in twelve different National Academy of Science committees that have evaluated various technologies to reduce fuel consumption. He is currently chair of a committee created to review phase two of the 21st Century Truck Partnership, with a mission to explore technological improvements in commercial and military vehicles.

Johnson earned his PhD. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin, and has worked for the US Army Tank Automotive Center and Navistar Truck and Engine (formerly International Harvester). He began his academic career in 1970 at MTU as a Professor of Mechanical Engineering, eventually chairing the department. He now serves as Presidential Professor Emeritus, Department of Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Mechanics.

About the Award

The Franz F. Pischinger Powertrain Innovation Award was established in 2008 by FEV to recognize exceptional innovation and competence in powertrain design and development through the annual recognition of an engineer who has demonstrated outstanding innovation in the field. The nominee must be a degreed engineer, employed or retired, who holds or has applied for a patent(s).

About Prof. Pischinger

Prof. Franz Pischinger has devoted his entire career to furthering powertrain technology and the education of young engineers as they prepared for careers in engineering. He held leading positions in the powertrain industry for most of his 50-year career and, until 2003, was the President and CEO of FEV Motorentechnik GmbH, where he currently retains the title of Chairman of the Board. Prof. Pischinger has also been responsible for educating thousands of students into the field of powertrain engineering, while overseeing the activities of the Institute for Applied Thermodynamics at the Aachen Technical University from 1970 to 1997. Many of his former students now hold leading roles in the automotive and transportation industry worldwide.

About FEV, Inc.

The FEV Group is an internationally recognized powertrain and vehicle engineering company that supplies the global transportation industry.  FEV offers a complete range of engineering services, providing support across the globe to customers in the design, analysis, prototyping, powertrain and transmission development, as well as vehicle integration, calibration and homologation for advanced internal combustion gasoline-, diesel-, and alternative-fueled powertrains. FEV also designs, develops and prototypes advanced vehicle / powertrain electronic control systems and hybrid-electric engine concepts that address future emission and fuel economy standards.  The FEV Test Systems division is a global supplier of advanced test cell, instrumentation and test equipment.  The FEV Group employs a staff of over 1,800 highly skilled specialists at advanced technical centers on three continents.  FEV, Inc. employs approximately 350 personnel at FEV's North American Technical Center in Auburn Hills, MI.

SOURCE FEV, Inc.