The Car Engineer of the Century was an international award given to the most influential car engineer of the twentieth century. The election process was overseen by the Global Automotive Elections Foundation.
The winner, Dr. Ferdinand Porsche,https://www.theautochannel.com/news/press/date/19991219/press004691.html was announced at an awards gala on December 18, 1999, in Las Vegas.
The selection process The process for deciding the Car Engineer of the Century started with the list of candidates below.
+The candidatesNameNotable forBéla BarényiDaimler-Benz passive safety workWalter Owen BentleyInnovative solutionsKarl BenzCredited with creating the world's first purpose-built motor car in 1886Marc BirkigtHispano-Suiza H6Ettore BugattiBugatti carsColin ChapmanLotus Cars radical and innovative technical solutionsGottlieb DaimlerPioneer of internal-combustion enginesRudolf DieselThe diesel engineWilliam Edwards DemingRevolutionised car production with statistical process controlHenry Ford IMotor car pioneer, entrepreneur and industrial visionaryDante GiacosaFiat innovatorWalter HassanEngine innovator at Coventry Climax and JaguarNicolas HayekFather of the MCC Smart car concept.Alec IssigonisThe innovative packaging of the MiniVittorio JanoMotor car innovatorSpencer KingConceived the luxury all wheel drive SUV concept with the Range RoverFrederick LanchesterCar pioneer founder of the Lanchester Motor CompanyHans LedwinkaPioneered an advanced backbone chassis configuration and paved the way for the Volkswagen Beetle with TatraAndré LefèbvreCitroën carsHarry MundyEngine innovator with Coventry Climax, Lotus and JaguarAugust OttoCredited with creating the first useful four stroke engineFerdinand PorscheAutomotive innovator and creator of Volkswagen.Frederick Henry RoyceThe engineering genius behind Rolls-RoyceRudolf UhlenhautMercedes-Benz carsGabriel VoisinAutomotive and engine innovatorFelix WankelPerfected the rotary piston engine concept with NSU
The next step was for a jury of 132 professional automotive journalists, from 33 countries, under the presidency of Lord Montagu of Beaulieu, to reduce the list to 5, which they did, and the result was announced in November 1999. Finally the 5 were ranked by the jury and the overall winner was selected.
See also Automotive engineer List of motor vehicle awards Car of the Century Car Designer of the Century Car Entrepreneur of the Century Car Executive of the Century
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