Austria: Technical University of Vienna awards “Professor Ferdinand Porsche Award 2009”

The “Professor Ferdinand Porsche Award” of 50,000 Euro is one of the world's most coveted awards for research in the field of automobile technology and was awarded today by the Technical University of Vienna to Dipl. Eng. Michael Keller from Temic Automotive Electric Motors GmbH, Berlin, and Prof. Herbert Kohler from Daimler AG, Stuttgart.

With a lithium-ion battery that can be used for the first time in volume production of hybrid cars, the jury thus awarded a development that will make a considerable contribution to the broad use of this technology in future automobiles.

Dr. Wendelin Wiedeking, Chairman of the Board of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, said in his award speech: "Our industry is currently facing dramatic technological change. And this change will dwarf everything that we have experienced to date with regard to developmental advances in automobile technology."

Dr. Wiedeking continued: "Because this time it is about nothing less than the traditional centerpiece of the automobile: the combustion engine. And in this field, this year's award winners have made a groundbreaking contribution. That is why they have justifiably received this award."

The award was endowed in 1976 by Louise Piëch, the daughter of Professor Ferdinand Porsche. Half of the award money is given by Porsche Holding, Salzburg, and the other half by Porsche AG, Stuttgart.

This year, it was awarded for the 16th time by the Technical University of Vienna.

Credits: JRC