More than 200 people attended the European Automotive Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Geneva, March 6. They came to help celebrate the careers of four industry giants: Mercedes-Benz safety specialist Bela Barenyi, Bentley founder Walter Owen Bentley, visionary Tatra engineer Hans Ledwinka, and gifted Mercedes designer Bruno Sacco. The Hall has grown to 39 members since it welcomed its first class in 2001. Other members include Robert Bosch, Andre Citroen and Henry Ford.
Bentley Chairman Franz-Josef Paefgen gave the Hall of Fame induction speech for company founder Walter Owen (W.O.) Bentley. Paefgen said he and his Bentley colleagues were pleased that the “humble, unassuming W.O. at last achieves the increased recognition he so deserves.”
Hans Ledwinka’s grandson, who also is called Hans (left), came to Geneva to accept his grandfather’s Hall of Fame plaque. Next to Ledwinka is amateur Tatra historian Kees Smit. The senior Ledwinka made Tatra one of Europe’s most innovative brands during the 1920s and 1940s.
Former Mercedes CEO Juergen Hubbert (right) accepts Bela Barenyi’s Hall of Fame plaque from Automotive News Europe Editor Arjen Bongard. Hubbert gave the induction speech for Barenyi, the former Mercedes engineer who is regarded as the father of passive safety.
Former BMW board member Burkhard Göschel enjoys himself at the reception held before the start of the European Automotive Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
Legends meet in Geneva
European Automotive Hall of Fame members (from left) Carl Hahn (Class of 2006) Bruno Sacco (Class of 2007) and Giorgetto Giugiaro (Class of 2001) got to know each other a little better during the Hall’s induction ceremony in Geneva on March 6.
