Akebono Brake Corporation congratulates General Motors on receiving the North American Truck of the Year award for the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado. The award-winning truck is equipped with foundation brake components provided by Akebono, which improve brake performance, extend rotor life and reduce noise and vibration, said the company.

“We congratulate the GM team on their tremendous victory with Silverado,” said Hadrian Rori, executive vice president, research and development, Akebono Brake Corporation. “It is an honor for Akebono to team up with GM on this award-winning vehicle and contribute technology.”

Akebono collaborated with GM on the development of the Silverado’s foundation braking components, including calipers, rotors and brake pads. The rotors Akebono supplies to GM are produced using a ferritic nitro-carburizing process (FNC). According to Akebono, the FNC process diffuses nitrogen and carbon into the ferrous rotor material, producing a very hard surface layer that reduces corrosion and wear over the life of the rotors. With the introduction of FNC rotors, Silverado customers will experience benchmark levels of low noise and vibration, and significantly improved rotor life.

The four-wheel-disc brakes on the truck also feature Akebono brake pads made of low-copper, non-asbestos friction material. This new friction material provides exemplary performance, long life and ultra-low noise and brake dust, said the company. The low copper levels in the friction formulation meet future state-mandated restrictions on the use of copper, slated to go into effect in January 2021.  

The Akebono brake components equipped on the Silverado are also featured on the new 2014 GMC Sierra. These components were developed in conjunction with GM at Akebono’s research and development facility in Farmington Hills, Mich., and are manufactured in the United States.