After being tabbed with supplying molded-in color hardtops for the sixth-generation Ford Bronco years ago, Webasto struggled to do precisely that amid the onset of the pandemic. Making matters worse, quality issues with the MIC top sent Webasto back to the proverbial drawing board, and it wound up replacing defective early tops with a superior successor. Webasto has also invested millions as it works to expand Ford Bronco MIC top production – resulting in that part becoming available separately for the first time – and now, that same company is up for a prestigious award.
That honor is being named a finalist in the 2024 Automotive News PACE Awards, which are designed to recognize products considered to be technological innovations that have also reached commercial market maturity. Webasto is among the finalists for the 2024 Automotive News PACE Awards due to the fact that it’s the first manufacturer to use composite panels with paper cores for a removable roof system, which debuted with the Ford Bronco.
Officially known as Paper Honeycomb (PHC), these pieces form the core of the roof panel and have to be milled due to the curved shape of the top, after which they’re coated with a mixture of polyurethane and reinforced glass fibers. When compared to steel, PHC’s composition ensures a weight savings of around 50 percent, according to Webasto, all while remaining quite robust. The honeycomb structure also offers good thermal insulation properties and has a sound-insulating effect, to boot.
“The PHC roof systems bring a great end user experience. With a renowned American car manufacturer, we have successfully applied PHC technology for a light-weight removable roof system,” said Brad Ring, CEO and President Webasto Americas. “With the benefits for the end consumer, we see a huge market potential for further roof applications as well as for other special products that utilize this technology – potential customers have already expressed interest.”
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I guess they didn't ask any of us Bronco owners what we thought of the top. No Awards Given
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Award? Only award I can think of that this company deserves is The Darwin Award!
What is this guy smoking?
The roof is a piece of junk.
LoL that "superior" roof is cracking on my 22 already. Paper machete would be tougher
Had my top replaced under warranty. Cracked and bubbled. Many others on Bronco6g.com. Eventually there will be a class action lawsuit because the tops are only covered under the 3-year vehicle warranty and they crack and bubble over time. The only award that's deserved is for the owners of the cracked-up tops!
These tops are junk and Ford/Webasto should do the right thing and extend the warranty on the things. I haven't seen one on a 2dr Bronco yet that isn't cracking, even the unsold ones on the lots. Even my salesman has a 2dr and told me his was fine, then we walked out to his truck and I showed him the cracks he hadn't noticed. I have my 3rd top on order already for my '23 model. Who do these people survey when giving out awards ? LMAO
These tops are junk and Ford/Webasto should do the right thing and extend the warranty on the things. I haven't seen one on a 2dr Bronco yet that isn't cracking, even the unsold ones on the lots. Even my salesman has a 2dr and told me his was fine, then we walked out to his truck and I showed him the cracks he hadn't noticed. I have my 3rd top on order already for my '23 model. Who do these people survey when giving out awards ? LMAO