DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- John J. 'Jack' Telnack, Ford Motor Company's (NYSE: F) former vice president of global design and a driving force behind the ground-breaking aerodynamic 1986 Ford Taurus, joins a host of other automotive leaders as a member of the prestigious Automotive Hall of Fame in a special induction ceremony held today in Dearborn.

Two Ford engineers, Lisa Drake and David Nowicki, are also being honored with the organization's 2008 Young Leader and Excellence Award.

Before he retired from Ford in 1998, Telnack was considered by many of his peers and industry insiders as the most influential car designer alive. During his 40-year career at Ford, Telnack held chief design positions in the U.S., Australia and Europe. In addition to penning the first out-of-the-box drawings of the original 1986 Ford Taurus, he helped bring distinctive, functional aerodynamic, global design aesthetics to the entire American auto scene in the late '70s and early '80s.

Jeff Leestma, president of the Automotive Hall of Fame, said Telnack's name is being added to a long list of automotive celebrities from Ford Motor Company; however, he is the first designer from Ford to make the grade. 'This is the single greatest honor in the motor vehicle industry, intended to honor a career and lifetime achievement,' said Leestma of being inducted. 'Mr. Telnack is joining an elite group of automotive pioneers from Ford that includes Henry Ford, Edsel Ford and Harold 'Red' Poling.'

The Automotive Hall of Fame is the only industry-wide means to honor the men and women of the global motor vehicle and related industries. More than 200 individuals have been inducted to date, with four to eight new hall of famers added each year.

Telnack considers his inclusion a great mark of distinction. 'I was surprised, deeply touched and honored that they selected me,' he said. 'I'm sure the Taurus was a big driver in this decision, and it was my time in Europe that influenced me to expand and push for a more functional approach to vehicle design that considered aerodynamics and its contribution to fuel economy. It started with the '79 Mustang, which was a real departure in terms of aerodynamics.