Michelin launches 2013 Challenge Design

Michelin has announced the brief for the annual Michelin Challenge Design competition, themed ‘HALF! Lightweight with a Passion'. Pre-registration for the 2013 automotive design competition begins October 1, 2011.

For this year's Challenge, designers are being asked to not only create inspirational forms that drive the desire to own a vehicle, but to also contribute to the development of a lightweight vehicle through their choice and use of materials and effective manufacturing techniques.

"Successful design relies on closer cooperation between design, engineering, manufacturing and planning than ever before," Michelin says.

Participants are asked to explore lightweight vehicle development by designing a family vehicle capable of transporting between four and six people. The designs should also meet consumer demands for safety and comfort, be usable on the current road infrastructure and be production feasible using materials, powertrain solutions or manufacturing solutions that are in use today or in development for use in the foreseeable future.

Michelin is looking for exciting and passionate designs that employ innovative vehicle architecture for weight reduction without compromising safety or comfort. The vehicle's lightweight characteristics must extend to the tire/wheel assembly, including dimensional specifications and visual detail of the tire/wheel assembly.

Competition entrants will be able to register beginning October 1, 2011 before being able to submit their design proposal as two-dimensional sketches, drawings or renderings by June 1, 2012. Michelin Challenge Design participants then have their work entered into a formal review process by a jury of prominent automotive industry designers and experts who share a passion for vehicle design and innovation.

This is a unique and exciting opportunity to feature your design work in a contest that has reached thousands of participants around the world. More than 1800 registrations were received from 88 countries in this past year's Challenge, which resulted in the finalists' projects being displayed at the NAIAS in Detroit and seen by prospective employers

For more information on how to enter visit www.michelinchallengedesign.com

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