2004 Detroit Auto Show: 2004 Michelin Designs for the Emerging Chinese Market

DETROIT, Jan. 6, 2004 -- 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 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.