GUELPH, Ontario, March 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Linamar Corporation, McLaren Technologies Division, was named one of the finalists in the 'Process' category of the 2007 Automotive News PACE Award competition, for its innovative Opti-Power(TM) design and production system.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070330/CLF102LOGO )

Opti-Power(TM) is an integrated design, development, and manufacturing process established to produce cylinder heads with optimized flow and combustion efficiency for internal combustion engines. This process technology provides a means to achieve high performance in the areas of engine power, emissions control, fuel economy, and engine refinement at a normal production cost that was previously unattainable with other manufacturing technologies.

"The addition of McLaren Technologies design capabilities has proven to be a successful compliment to Linamar's world-class manufacturing skills. This technology is key to improving fuel efficiency, a critical issue in the industry today. We are thrilled to be recognized as an industry innovator and we are proud to be chosen as a PACE award finalist," said Linda Hasenfratz, Linamar Chief Executive Officer.

Linamar is one of only four finalists in the 'Process' category which recognizes innovations involving game-changing processes or innovative capital equipment that support the automotive supply chain or manufacturing processes.

"Opti-Power(TM) is a successful example of our company's collaborative engineering culture that emphasizes customer-focused innovation," said Jim Jarrell, Linamar President and Chief Operating Officer. "Our product development team at McLaren Performance Technologies actively teamed up with our engine group manufacturing experts, sharing and integrating their expertise to create the processes and products that generate multiple levels of value for our customers."

Linamar, along with other Automotive News PACE Award finalists, is undergoing an extensive review process conducted by industry, academic and business leaders to select award winners. The winners will be announced during the 2007 Society of Automotive Engineers conference in Detroit at a gala ceremony at the Max M. Fisher Music Center on April 16.

Linamar Corporation

Linamar Corporation (TSX: LNR) is a diversified global manufacturing company of highly engineered products. The company's Powertrain and Driveline focused divisions are world leaders in the collaborative design, development and manufacture of precision metallic components, modules and systems for global vehicle markets. The company's Industrial division is a world leader in the design and production of innovative mobile industrial products, notably its class-leading aerial work platforms. With close to 11,000 employees in 36 manufacturing locations, 5 R&D centers and 9 sales offices in Canada, the US, Mexico, Germany, Hungary, China, Korea and Japan Linamar generated sales of close to $2.3 Billion in 2006. For more information about Linamar Corporation and its industry leading products and services, visit http://www.linamar.com/

PACE Awards

The 13th annual PACE (Premier Automotive Suppliers' Contribution to Excellence) Award is presented by Microsoft, SAP, Transportation Research Center Inc. (TRC Inc.) and Automotive News. Recognizing superior innovation, technological advancement and business performance, the Automotive News PACE Award is open to suppliers that contribute products, processes, materials or services directly to the manufacture of cars or trucks. The award is accepted around the world as the industry symbol of innovation.

For complete details of the 2007 Automotive News PACE Award visit http://www.autonews.com/PACE.

Backgrounder Linamar Corporation - Opti-Power(TM)

The Opti-Power(TM) process starts by identifying the customer's goals for powertrain performance in multiple areas. Using computerized flow and combustion analysis generated from dynamic testing and computer simulation performed by Linamar's McLaren Performance Technologies Division, the Opti- Power(TM) process calculates the optimal induction port geometries that are required to produce balanced and highly-efficient flow in a gasoline or diesel engine where or high power output or optimal combustion efficiency is required.

The Opti-Power(TM) production process then uses Linamar's world-class 5- Axis precision machining expertise to translate the ideal port shape and contours into the actual cylinder head. The Opti-Power(TM) system uses advanced technology that was previously used only in the motoring racing world to provide the same power-enhancing benefits to automotive manufacturers at normal mass production prices.

Opti-Power(TM) generates real value by providing higher performance and efficiency to new or existing engine platforms by the use of highly- differentiated Opti-Power cylinder heads and cylinder head assemblies. Opti- Power(TM) allows Linamar to offer these premium cylinder head products at price levels that are not obtainable using other traditional manufacturing technologies.

CONTACT: Crystal Hyde, Communications Manager of Linamar Corporation,
+1-519-836-7550, Crystal.hyde@linamar.com

Web site: http://www.linamar.com/
http://www.autonews.com/PACE