January 9, 2003

General Motors wins seven design awards at Detroit auto show

Detroit, Michigan - Designers from around the globe gathered at the Eyes on Design/Awards in Detroit on Tuesday to recognize their peers for outstanding achievement. Michelin and Johnson Controls were the signature sponsors of the event, which brought out leading media and design professionals to recognize and honour the designers who have created the most significant designs on display at the 2003 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS).

Clay Dean, Director of Design of small trucks (R), poses with his design team of Dan Gilfford, Wayne Manista and Jeff Angeleri and the Chevrolet Cheyenne concept truck in Cobo Hall, January 8, 2003, after winning four Eyes on Design awards, including Best in Show. Click image to enlarge. (Photo: Joe Polimeni/General Motors)

General Motors took home a total of seven design awards. The Cheyenne picked up four of the GM awards. The GM Hy-wire received one, while the Cadillac V-16 Sedan picked up two awards.

Michelin sponsored the "Best of Show" and "Design Enabler" awards at the Eyes on Design/Awards reception at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit on Tuesday. Michelin presented the "Best of Show" award to General Motors for the 2003 Chevrolet Cheyenne full-size concept pickup. General Motors also won the "Design Enabler" award, sponsored by Michelin, for the GM Hy-wire.

"These awards are chosen by designers to recognize design excellence," said Tom Chubb. "This year's NAIAS is filled with outstanding and innovative vehicles. To be selected as the best in this world-class showcase is a true achievement for any vehicle development team."

Bentley Continental GT, Click image to enlarge

The Honda Element received three awards for most significant production truck design; most significant production truck, exterior design; and most significant production truck, interior design. The Bentley Continental GT Coupe received two awards for the most significant production car, exterior design and most significant production car design.

Ford Motor Company received awards for the Mercury Messenger (most significant concept car - interior design) and an award for the most significant exhibit design. The final award was given to the Audi A8 for the most significant production car - interior design.

Michelin's design activities at the 2003 North American International Auto Show included:

• Designer Night Reception -- A reception for the industry's top designers and media at Opus One, Monday, Jan. 6, 2003. Many of the world's leading automotive designers were in attendance.
• Michelin Challenge Design -- Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2003, Michelin recognized designers from 13 countries at the Michelin Challenge Design Press Conference and issued the next global design challenge for 2004 -- a focus on the emerging market of China.
• AutoWeek Design Forum -- Michelin continued its support of the AutoWeek Design Forum by co-sponsoring the event again this year, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2003.
• Eyes on Design/Awards Reception -- Michelin was a co-sponsor of the event to recognize the top designers from this year's NAIAS, Jan. 7, 2003.
• CCS Design Competition -- Winning entries from the 14th Annual Michelin Design Competition for College of Creative Studies (CCS) Students are on display as part of the Michelin Challenge Design in Michigan Hall.

"The concept vehicle designs and the new production models on display in Detroit exhibit a passion for design excellence and innovation," Chubb said. "Michelin is proud to be an integral part of the design process as a supplier, an innovator, and a technical partner with the best designers in the world."

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