Magna’s seamless sliding glass named PACE Award finalist

Magna’s PureView seamless sliding rear window will debut on the 2015 Ford F-150. PHOTO Magna

AURORA, Ont.—Magna International Inc. has been named a finalist in an automotive supplier competition presented by the Automotive News for a seamless rear sliding window the company developed for the 2015 Ford F-150.

According to Magna, its PureView seamless sliding window was chosen as a finalist in the ‘product’ category for the 2015 Automotive News PACE Awards.

The PureView design conceals the vertical seams that mark the edges of conventional pickup truck sliding rear windows, creating a smooth opening when viewed from outside.

The design will debut on the new F-150.

Standard sliding rear windows typically contain three pieces of glass—fixed left and right panes and a sliding portion in the middle, all held together by a support structure.

The PureView window uses only two pieces of glass—the exterior surround and the sliding portion—which reduces the number of build and install components and the complexity of the system.

Magna said the two-piece design also allows “continuous uninterrupted defrost capability for the larger surrounding glass.”

“Magna continuously applies (its) innovation development process across all product areas and vehicle segments—we’re always working on that next game-changing innovation,” Magna chief technology officer Swamy Kotagiri said in a release.

“With the PureView seamless slider we seized the opportunity to lead the market with a desirable new design and improved functionality.”

Award winners will be announced at the 21st annual Automotive News PACE Awards ceremony on April 20, 2015, in Detroit.