Michelin Challenge Design 2013 finalists announced

The finalists of the 2013 Michelin Challenge Design global vehicle design competition have been announced with all 15 of the chosen entrants' work to be displayed at NAIAS 2013.

This year's theme, 'HALF! Lightweight with Passion', asked participants to explore how design contributes to and impacts the ongoing effort to develop more efficienct vehicles, while keeping the emotional side of car design front of mind. A jury made up some of the world's most renowned car designers and industry experts selected the 15 participants from over 900 registrants from 72 countries. They were:

• Chris Chapman, Chief Designer, Hyundai America Technical Center
• Dave Marek, Division Director Advanced Design, Honda R&D-Americas
• Chuck Pelly, Founder, Designworks USA, The LA Design Challenge, and The Design Academy
• Rich Plavetich, General Manager, Nissan Design America
• Stewart Reed; Chair, Transportation Design Department, Art Center College of Design, Consultant and Jury Chairman, Michelin Challenge Design
• Frank Saucedo, Director, General Motors Advanced Design Studio
• Freeman Thomas, Director, Strategic Design, Ford Motor Company
• Geoff Wardle, Director of Mobility, Industrial Design, Art Center College of Design

All 15 finalists' work will be on display in Detroit in January, while the the top three will be invited to the Cobo Center as Michelin's guests and presented during Michelin's private Designer's Reception. The 2013 finalists are:

• Jorge Biosca (Spain)
• Thierry Dumaine (France)
• Andrea Filogonio (Italy)
• Wei Guo (China)
• Jeremy Helle (United States)
• Shun Liu (China)
• Lucas Lopez (Argentina)
• Takashi Nishimura (Japan)
• Vruttant Phatak (India)
• Cristian Polanco (Guatemala)
• Xiao Quan Qian (China)
• Jose Eduardo Sanches (Mexico)
• Antonis Schley (Germany)
• Marcel Sebestyen (Hungary)
• Song Wei Teo (Singapore)

Stewart Reed, Chair of the Transportation Design Department, Art Center College of Design, and Michelin Challenge Design jury chairman said, "In the quest for vehicle weight reduction, designers have many factors to consider such as expressions of safety and style within a lightweight package and how these guide the materials selection and fabrication processes.

"Addressing the real-world challenges that advanced vehicle designers face has been a hallmark of the Michelin Challenge Design and the 2013 theme continues the legacy of identifying the talented designers who may help create tomorrow's vehicles."

For more information, head to Michelin Challenge Design.

By Rufus Thompson