Four key members of the automotive world will be inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame during ceremonies celebrating the organization's 75th anniversary tonight (July 24).
The Automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn, Mich., celebrates the "insights, intuitions and inventiveness of people who connect the auto industry to its foundations and its future," according to press release issued by the Automotive Hall of Fame.
The hall has honored 300 people since opening its doors in 1939.
"We recognize a special responsibility to cultivate and spread the story of the automotive industry's roots and development to provide valuable perspective and inspiration for future generations," said Automotive Hall of Fame President William R. Chapin. "The Automotive Hall of Fame is especially proud and thrilled to induct the 2014 honorees as we celebrate each of their unique and outstanding achievements and contributions to the global automotive industry."
Inductees at this year's event include:
-Ferdinand K. Piech: chairman of the Supervisory Board for Volkswagen Group, and the grandson of Ferdinand Porsche. Influenced the development of the Audi Quattro, the New Volkswagen Beetle among other vehicles.
-Keith E. Crain: chairman of Crain Communications, oversees more than 27 business, trade and consumer publications produced by 800 people in 13 offices internationally. Editor-in-chief of and columnist for Automotive News in U.S. and Europe.
-Alex Tremulis: automotive designer, developed the design for the Tucker Torpedo, and designed concept cars for Kaiser-Fraser and Ford before establishing his own design firm in Ann Arbor.
-J.D. "Dave" Power III: considered by many to be the single most powerful force for quality in the automotive industry, developed the consumer studies that today serve as the gold standard for evaluating vehicle quality.
The Hall of Fame also will honor James E. Lentz, chief executive officer of Toyota North America, with its Industry Leader of the Year Award.
Writer, curator and historian Ken Gross, and Ideal Group Chairman and CEO Frank Venegas, Jr. will also be recognized with the Hall's Distinguished Service Citation.
The Gala Ceremony will be held at the A. Alfred Taubman Center for Design Education, College for Creative Studies, in Detroit.
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