DETROIT, Jan. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Designs for the emerging Chinese market
proved to be a timely theme for the 2004 Michelin Challenge Design at
Detroit's prestigious North American International Auto Show.
A record number of designers from around the world submitted entries
presenting a wide array of vehicle sizes, shapes and concepts.
"China is such a potentially large and diverse market that it presents a
tremendous opportunity for design and designers," said Tom Chubb, vice
president of marketing for Michelin Automotive Industry Division. "The
opportunity is still out there for someone to create the first Chinese
automotive icon."
A jury of top international designers reviewed the 103 entries from 27
countries and selected two full size vehicles, the Viexun, designed by the
Italian I.DE.A. Institute and the Kunpeng designed in China by PATAC.
The two full size concept vehicles will be featured along with 11 scale
model concepts and 28 renderings or drawings in the Michelin Challenge Design
display at NAIAS.
"Many of the vehicles on the road in China today were products of
manufacturer design studios in other countries," continued Chubb. "There is
now a major shift underway to bring forward designs specifically for China.
The work that we received from China and around the world reflects the state
of that design shift," said Chubb.
"Design for China is becoming much more technically advanced, more
sophisticated and far more global than people may have expected," said Chubb.
"Our judges were surprised and impressed by the quality and breadth of design
presented. We believe that this is a great addition to America's premier auto
show."
Michelin created the annual design challenge to recognize the importance
of design and innovation and to bring forth vehicles, models and drawings that
may not otherwise have the opportunity to be presented at a major
international auto show. Complete details are available at
http://www.michelinchallengedesign.com .
Michelin manufactures and sells tires for every type of vehicle, including
airplanes, automobiles, bicycles, earthmovers, farm equipment, heavy-duty
trucks and the space shuttle. The company also publishes travel guides, maps
and atlases covering Europe, Asia, Africa and North America. Headquartered in
Greenville, S.C., Michelin North America employs 24,290 and operates 21 plants
in 17 locations.
SOURCE Michelin
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Related links:
http://www.michelinchallengedesign.com
CONTACT:
Lynn Mann of Michelin North America,
+1-864-458-4698, cell: +1-864-449-1864,
lynn.mann@us.michelin.com ; or John Love, +1-313-449-0106, cell:
+1-313-506-2114, john@emcpr.com , for Michelin
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