Michelin North America Announces Plans for Major Environmental Event and Conference
31 October 2000
Michelin North America Announces Plans for Major Environmental Event and Conference
SEMA Will Co-Host 'Michelin Challenge Bibendum'
To Conclude at 2001 SEMA Show - ITE
LAS VEGAS, Oct. 31 Michelin North America, Inc. announced
today it will hold a major international environmental event and conference in
October 2001 to demonstrate advances in alternative fuel vehicles and the
company's continuing commitment to the environment. Michelin also announced
it is joining forces with the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA)
which will co-host the event and conference at its 2001 SEMA Show - ITE.
The conclusion of the third "Michelin Challenge Bibendum" -- as well as a
new environmental vehicle conference, a vehicle display for the public and an
awards ceremony -- will be held in Las Vegas on Monday, Oct. 29, 2001 in
conjunction with the opening of the 2001 SEMA Show - ITE.
With nearly 30 percent of its passenger vehicle tires featuring "green"
technologies and its PAX System technology creating new advances in rolling
resistance, Michelin is the tire industry's environmental leader. The company
created the "Michelin Challenge Bibendum" in 1998 to highlight advances in
auto industry environmental efforts and as a centennial tribute to "Bibendum,"
the world-famous Michelin Man.
"We are delighted that SEMA is joining with Michelin to bring this
important environmental event to North America," said Michael Fanning, vice
president of public relations and government affairs for Michelin North
America. "The continuing development and refinement of new vehicle
technologies and the sustainability of our resources is important to
everyone's future."
"Hosting the finish of the 'Michelin Challenge Bibendum' and the
complementary conference brings a whole new dimension to SEMA," said Charles
R. Blum, president of SEMA. "We look forward to welcoming new manufacturers,
suppliers, sponsors, participants and media to SEMA 2001, while providing our
members, exhibitors and attendees with a first-hand look at these new
technologies and opportunities for the future."
First held in France in September 1998, the "Michelin Challenge Bibendum"
is a real-world test of environmental vehicles, providing performance measures
of vehicle acceleration, handling, noise and fuel economy. Vehicles are also
judged on interior and exterior design.
The second "Michelin Challenge Bibendum" was held in France this
September, ending prior to the opening of the international Mondial Automobile
Show in Paris. The event drew a field of 32 electric, solar, hybrid, fuel
cell, diesel and natural gas powered entries from nearly all of the world's
major vehicle manufacturers and top design houses. The event received
extensive international coverage from media throughout the world.
The 2001 event marks the first time that the "Michelin Challenge Bibendum"
will be held in North America.
The 2001 "Michelin Challenge Bibendum" will begin on Friday, Oct. 26 in
Los Angeles with the performance stages to be held on Saturday, Oct. 27.
Vehicles will arrive in Las Vegas on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 28.
A public display of the vehicles will be held in conjunction with a
conference featuring new vehicle technologies on Monday, Oct. 29. Vehicles
will then be displayed at the 2001 SEMA Show - ITE at the Las Vegas Convention
Center.
Additional partners and program elements will be revealed in a series of
announcements continuing through the North American International Auto Show in
Detroit in January 2001.
Michelin manufactures and sells tires for every type of vehicle, including
airplanes, automobiles, bicycles, earthmovers, farm equipment, heavy-duty
trucks, motorcycles 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, Inc.
(http://www.Michelin.com) employs 26,500 and operates 21 plants in 19 locations.
The Special Equipment Market Association (SEMA) represents the $23.2
billion specialty automotive industry. The trade association is composed of
more than 4,400 member companies nationwide, and is the authoritative source
of research data, trends and market growth information for automakers and the
specialty auto products industry. The industry itself provides appearance,
performance, safety, comfort, convenience and technology products for
passenger cars, minivans, pickups, SUVs and recreational vehicles. It's a
specialty market as old as the automobile and as new as today's cutting-edge
technology.