2006 Michelin Challenge Design seeks vehicle designs for California market

Michelin issued a call for entries to the global design community this week to kick off the 2006 Michelin Challenge Design, one of the industry's fastest growing vehicle design forums.

In the last four years, Michelin Challenge Design has been the catalyst for students in design universities, design firms, professional designers from top OEMs, and individual designers from all over the world to have their work exhibited at a major international auto show in support of a central theme. Last year, submissions were received from 50 countries worldwide with selected designs displayed at the 2005 North American International Auto Show in January.

For 2006, California is the geographic focus for the program. However Michelin is adding a new twist, asking designers to combine vehicle aesthetics with vehicle technology.

The 2006 Michelin Challenge Design will display vehicles and vehicle design concepts for the California market that:
- Incorporate an alternative powertrain
- Consider the effect of that powertrain on tire size and
appearance
- Define the role that electronic devices embedded in
the tire could play in the tire/vehicle system.

Today's vehicle designers are at the center of a number of challenges facing the auto industry, namely safety, the environment and fuel economy, said Tom Chubb, vice president of marketing for Michelin Automotive Industry Division. ?It was natural for this year's theme to reflect a multi-faceted, solutions-based approach to transportation design.

Michelin Challenge Design will accept submissions until April 14, 2005, for works that will be displayed at the 2006 North American International Auto Show.

Since creating Michelin Challenge Design, the program has featured Italian Design, French Design, Cars for the Emerging Chinese market, and German Design.

Designers interested in participating in the challenge should review the competition criteria and complete the online questionnaire at the Michelin Challenge Design website: www.michelinchallengedesign.com

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