AUBURN HILLS, Mich., June 12, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- FEV North America, Inc., part of the FEV Group, is celebrating its 30 year anniversary on Friday, June 12, 2015, at its North American Headquarters and Technical Center in Auburn Hills, Mich. The leading vehicle and powertrain systems engineering firm is hosting a customer appreciation reception on Friday, and an employee event on Saturday, to mark the occasion.
"This milestone is notable for several reasons," said FEV Group president and CEO Stefan Pischinger. "First, we have maintained the trust of our customers over 30 years through our dedication to fulfilling their needs, and, second, during that time we have been in the forefront of technological advancements that have changed the way we view vehicle propulsion. We could not have achieved the first without focusing on the second, and much of our success is due to the people of FEV who innovate every day."
FEV Group was founded in 1978 by Prof. Franz F. Pischinger as a privately held company. Working from a small flat in Aachen, Germany, the company grew from these humble beginnings into a recognized leader in the design and development of internal combustion engines. Continuing to strengthen its core competency in the development of conventional powertrains, FEV also expanded into electrified vehicle drive systems, vehicle electronics and vehicle development. Having established a solid reputation in in Europe, FEV turned to the North American market, and in 1985, established its North American division, one of the first powertrain engineering companies to do so. Originally in California, FEV relocated in 1987 to suburban Detroit, Mich., where its North American Technical Center, constructed in 1997, is located. Today, the FEV Group, including its North American operations, is a provider of full-vehicle engineering solutions and a major supplier of advanced testing products and services to the world's OEMs.
FEV North America, Inc. remains at the forefront in addressing the major issues confronting the auto industry today, paralleling the growth of parent FEV GmbH and focusing on the development of technologies that have a high probability of entering into production. FEV North America offers a variety of solutions that can be adapted to various automotive, heavy-duty, off-road, marine and other platforms, not to mention other industries.
Some of those innovations include variable compression ratio technology that utilizes an adjustable connecting rod; battery management systems that can be incorporated into electric and hybrid vehicles; and FEVcom, an integrated system that virtually eliminates vibration, allowing a small, range extender engine to operate nearly as smoothly as the electric powertrain that it supplements. FEV has played a major role in the development of many of the most recent engine technologies that have allowed for significant downsizing while maintaining power, contributing to improved fuel economy and reduced emissions.
The company was also recognized for supporting the development of the first locomotive engine to be developed in the North American market in the last quarter-century and, recently, was cited as having supported the development of the highest-power outboard motor in the world. Over the years, FEV has supported a broad range of technology platforms, from weed-whackers to ship engines and wind turbine gearset designs.
More recently, FEV has invested itself into the vehicle electrical / electronics area, noting that vehicle systems are interdependent and rely extensively on the electrical / electronic systems that provide power to much of today's vehicle. This includes the acquisition of DGE, expanding its expertise in the area of infotainment, telematics and the entire connected vehicle market space.
FEV's acquisition of D2T, a global supplier of advanced test systems and engineering services, represents the company's latest commitment to responding to expanding customer demand worldwide.
"We are extremely proud of how far we have come," said Patrick Hupperich, FEV North America, Inc. president and CEO. "But this is no time to rest. The industry is moving as fast as it ever has, and our promise to our customers is that we will continue to push the envelope in developing the latest technologies."
The Anniversary festivities kick off on Friday with a networking reception, followed by presentations from a variety of speakers, including Stefan Pischinger and FEV Group founder and Chairman of the Board Prof. Franz F. Pischinger. Noted automotive journalist John McElroy will emcee the event. Other speakers include Kevin Kerrigan, head of MEDC Auto; L. Brooks Patterson, Oakland County Executive; Dan Hancock, retired GM Global Powertrain Vice President; Frank Markus, MotorTrend Magazine Technical Editor; and Patrick Hupperich, president and CEO of FEV North America.
About FEV
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 company has expanded its engineering capabilities to include full vehicle systems and now offers broad expertise in electronics, telematics and infotainment system engineering. 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 3,800 highly skilled specialists at advanced technical centers on three continents. FEV North America, Inc. employs over 450 personnel in its North American Technical Center in Auburn Hills, MI.
SOURCE FEV North America, Inc.
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