(AIAG: Detroit, Michigan) -- The 2008 Automotive Executive of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to industry legend Carroll Shelby at an invitation-only luncheon at the Detroit Athletic Club on April 16. Approximately 225 automotive original equipment manufacturer executives and supplier leaders are expected to attend the event.

The award has recognized excellence in automotive leadership from OEM executives since 1964. Past winners include Jim Press, Bill Ford Jr., Dieter Zetsche, Rick Wagoner, Henry Ford II, Robert Eaton, Thomas Stallkamp, Roger Smith, Harold E. Poling, Lee Iacocca, and John DeLorean.

The award is sponsored by DNV Certification and the Automotive Industry Action Group. The Automotive Executive of the Year Award nominating committee is composed of automotive industry media, various industry analysts and automotive supplier CEOs.

“As Carroll Shelby celebrates his 85th birthday this year, it is the perfect time to honor him with an Automotive Executive of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award,” says Robert Djurovic, DNV Certification’s director of automotive services–North America and chairman of the nominating committee. “His ongoing energy and commitment amaze us all.

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