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Industry-first electronic door latch selected as a 2016 PACE Award finalist
Magna International Inc. announced today that its SmartLatch™ electronic side-door latch system has been selected as a finalist for the 2016 Automotive News PACE Awards.
SmartLatch creates a new paradigm for side-door latches by operating 100% electronically – it eliminates the need for cables, rods and moving handles in the door. The industry-first application of the latch is on the BMW i8 and it has been selected by other global automotive manufacturers for future vehicle programs.
Key benefits of SmartLatch to Magna’s customers include significant weight savings compared to mechanical latches, a reduced number of components, the flexibility to be used in any type of car or truck, as well as improved safety, sound quality and craftsmanship. As a result of the elimination of the lock rods, release cables and handles, SmartLatch provides an innovative, lower-cost door latching system to global automakers.
“SmartLatch is at the front edge of a trend towards electronic closure and latching technologies and, in the future, they will become the mainstream design,” said Frank Seguin, president of Magna Closures. “We believe this product will change the way vehicle latching systems are designed going forward.”
The Automotive News PACE Awards celebrate automotive suppliers’ innovations in products, manufacturing processes and information technology. PACE Award winners will be announced at the 22nd annual Automotive News PACE Awards ceremony on April 11, 2016, in Detroit, Mich.
