Registrations Open for 2013 Michelin Challenge Design
Michelin North America has opened registrations for the 2013 Michelin Challenge Design competition – titled ‘Half! Lightweight with a Passion!’
Participants in the 2013 Michelin Challenge Design have been set the task of designing a family vehicle, whilst addressing the subject of weight reduction through design – a subject the tyre market says is “becoming a new battleground in the struggle for increasing fuel efficiency.”
In the 2013 Challenge, Michelin says it is looking to “bring forward passionate designs that employ innovative vehicle architecture for weight reduction, without compromising safety or comfort.”
Submitted vehicle designs must meet consumer demands for safety and comfort, be usable on the current road infrastructure and be feasibly produced using materials, powertrain solution or manufacturing solutions that are in use today or in development for use in the foreseeable future.
Successful designs will be those that drive desire for vehicle ownership or usage while contributing to lightweight vehicle development through choices of materials and using the most effective manufacturing techniques.
Michelin notes that more than ever before, successful design requires closer cooperation with engineering, manufacturing and planning.
“As an industry, we’ve come to an interesting crossroad,” commented John Moloney, Michelin’s vice-president of original equipment marketing for North and South America.
“Consumers and governments are pushing for dramatic gains in fuel efficiency as the automotive industry is designing and development lightweight next-generation vehicles. We look forward to seeing how participants in the 2013 Michelin Challenge Design will respond to these concerns.”
Further information on the 2013 Michelin Challenge Design is available on www.michelinchallengedesign.com
The Michelin Man Celebrates his 113th Birthday and joins Madison Avenue Advertising Walk of Fame
The Michelin Man turned 113 years old in October and celebrated by being inducted into Advertising Week’s Walk of Fame as “Icon of the Year” in ceremonies at Time Square in New York. As part of an online voting contest, The Michelin Man won the hearts of many who voted online to elevate him to his rightful place in advertising history.
For more than a century, The Michelin Man has served as an ambassador for the Michelin brand. In 1894, the two founding brothers, Andre and Edouard Michelin, saw a stack of tyres and noted that with arms “it would make a man.” Four years later, in 1898, The Michelin Man’s character was born, appearing in Michelin posters and representing the company. Today, The Michelin Man – sometimes called “Bibendum” – is regarded as one of the most iconic symbols in the world.
The Michelin Man has stood the test of time while representing improvements in transportation of people and goods, respect for the environment and promotion of road safety. As one of the world’s most recognized brand icons, The Michelin Man represents mobility to millions of consumers in more than 150 countries. As the ultimate stamp of approval, he gives consumers confidence wherever they are going by providing fuel-efficient, safe, long-lasting tyres.
The Madison Avenue Advertising Walk of Fame recognizes America’s most beloved advertising icons and slogans. The Michelin Man will join such other iconic symbols as Columbian coffee icon Juan Valdez and Geico’s gecko.