MICHELIN CHALLENGE DESIGN™

MISSION OF MICHELIN CHALLENGE DESIGN™

Utilizing its position as a leading member of the automotive industry and its unique position as a non-OEM exhibitor at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), Michelin offers a challenge each year to designers around the world, from individuals to small and large companies, in order to enthusiastically create, bring forward and display significant design work that would normally not have an opportunity to be shown at a major auto show.

THE CHALLENGE 2008:
The Michelin Challenge Design™ at the 2008 NAIAS will display vehicles and vehicle design concepts with attributes that make smaller vehicles safer particularly in urban environments.

Rising energy costs, urban congestion and environmental concerns are all contributing to increased interest in smaller vehicles, but consumers are often hesitant to consider smaller vehicles due to real and perceived safety concerns. Safety is often used as a justification or rationale for larger vehicles as drivers feel less vulnerable in a larger vehicle.

Enhanced safety through design innovations in areas such as accident avoidance, enhanced driver controls, survivability and visibility will be considered. Designers will be encouraged to “throw away the book” and to consider designs that present innovative approaches to vehicle ingress and egress, side impact protection, occupant protection volume, seating arrangement, vehicle dimensions and proportions.

Beyond core design attributes of the vehicle, what features or design elements will enhance safety by interacting with other vehicles and the overall road environment?  How could design concepts for small vehicles inform or influence developments of streets, highways and the urban parking environment?

FAST FACTS 2008:

1. The Michelin Challenge Design exhibit at NAIAS is located in Michigan Hall at Cobo Center.
2. More than 272 entries from 51 countries were received.
3. An eight-person international jury chose the selected entries for display.
4. Drawings and scale models from 28 individuals and companies are represented.
5. Concept vehicles are on display from Citroen, Dodge and Nissan.
6. Eight scale models are on display at Cobo Center in Michigan Hall.
7. Works on display came from designers in 20 countries: Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Russia, Serbia, South Korea, United Kingdom and the United States.
8. Works from students from the College for Creative Studies (CCS) are on display. These students were selected from the 19th Annual Michelin Design Competition for CCS students.

DESIGN PROPERTIES DISPLAYED:
1. Concept models, in scale and full-size form
2. Concepts in two dimensions
3. Sketches, computer-generated renderings, engineering drawings
           
PARTICIPANTS:
1. OEM design studios
2. Independent design studios
3. Individual designers
4. Academic transportation design students and teams 
5. Automotive suppliers

WEB SITE:
www.michelinchallengedesign.com

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For more information please contact:

Lynne Slovick
Michelin North America
Office: 1-864-458-6365
Fax: 1-864-458-6359
lynne.slovick@us.michelin.com

Kari Nattrass
EMC Public Relations
Office: 1-248-816-0108
kari@emcpr.com

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