ALLEN PARK, Mich., Dec. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- This has been a year of recognition and progress for EcoMotors. If the accolades earned in the last year are any indication, the world has begun to take notice of the potential offered by the opoc® engine. In the past 6 months EcoMotors has been recognized by the World Economic Forum, The Society of Automotive Engineers, Popular Mechanics, Popular Science, Always On, and Automotive News. These organizations and publications are themselves recognized as technological and cultural leaders, and their selection of the opoc® engine is a sure indication of the meaningful progress EcoMotors is making in bringing this exciting new engine to the world.
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"We are extremely gratified by the recognition that these awards and honors represent. For us the most rewarding recognition comes from the customers with whom we have signed agreements during 2011. These include commercial truck industry leader Navistar, Chinese industrial giant Zhongding, and back-up power generation industry leader Generac. These are truly the 'awards' that propel us forward," said Don Runkle, EcoMotors CEO.
Significant awards and achievements from the past year are detailed below:
World Economic Forum - 2012 Technology Pioneer
This worldwide gathering of political, financial, cultural and humanitarian leaders annually recognizes formative companies from around the world actively designing, developing and creating new technologies that promise to significantly impact the future of the world. In September 2011, the Forum recognized EcoMotors and the opoc® engine for the potential it has to change the landscape of transportation.
Society of Automotive Engineers – Fellow Dr. Ing - Prof. Peter Hofbauer
In professional societies the recognition of one's peers is a difficult accolade to earn but also one of the most cherished. In 2011 Prof. Peter Hofbauer was named to the highest level of membership within the Society of Automotive engineers, Fellow. Each year fewer than 20 individuals are selected for this honor, Prof. Hofbauer was specifically selected not only for his development of the opoc® engine but also for his work on the Volkswagen VDI 4, 5 cylinder and 6 V cylinder engines, during his time as head of Worldwide Powertrain Development at Volkswagen.
Popular Mechanics – Breakthrough Innovator award
In October of this year, Popular Mechanics honored Prof. Hofbauer and EcoMotors with a Breakthrough Award for the invention and development of the opoc® engine. This award is a clear indication that the technically savvy and intellectually curious staff and readers of Popular Mechanics can see the ingenuity and practicality of the opoc® engine, and the exciting developments to come as EcoMotors introduces it to the world.
Popular Science – Best of What's New, Grand Award
For more than 130 years, Popular Science has been describing the future of scientific inquiry for a mass audience, and for the last 24 years they've been selecting their Best of What's New Awards. These signal the scientific and technological advancements their editors believe hold the most promise, and this year EcoMotors was chosen as the automotive category's Grand Award winner.
Always On - Going Green Award
For the past three years, Always On has named EcoMotors to their Going Green Award, which recognizes start-up companies that are developing new, clean technologies. Inclusion among the award winners for 2011 means continued support for EcoMotors from the leaders in this field.
Automotive News – PACE Award Finalist
In early 2011, EcoMotors was named a PACE awards finalist. These awards honor superior innovation, technological advancement and business performance among automotive suppliers. This prestigious award is recognized around the world as the industry benchmark for innovation.
IHS Cambridge Energy Research Associates - 2011 Energy Innovation Pioneer
In conjunction with the CERAWeek 2011 conference in Houston, EcoMotors was named as a 2011 Energy Innovation Pioneer. IHS CERA annually selects innovators based on their potential as game-changers or drivers of improvements in existing systems.
About EcoMotors
Established in early 2008, EcoMotors is changing the landscape of internal combustion power. Based in Allen Park, Mich., EcoMotors is commercializing the unique opoc® engine for use in cars, light trucks, commercial vehicles, aerospace, marine, agriculture, auxiliary power units, generators, etc. Anywhere conventional gas or diesel power is currently utilized, opoc® represents a better propulsion solution.
The two primary investors in EcoMotors are Khosla Ventures and Bill Gates. Khosla Ventures, based in Menlo Park, California, offers venture assistance, strategic advice and capital to entrepreneurs. The firm currently manages over $2 billion in committed capital, and is actively investing out of a $1.05 billion main fund that supports early- and late-stage companies and a $300 million seed fund to develop very early-stage experiments. The firm focuses on investments in next-generation energy projects, new materials, mobility, Internet and silicon technology. Vinod Khosla, who founded the firm in 2004, was founder and CEO of Sun Microsystems and was formerly a General Partner at Kleiner Perkins.
SOURCE EcoMotors
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