Check out this recent NYT article discussing designing around the theme of "Smaller. Better. Safer."
http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2008.../index.html?hp
Quote:
DETROIT — One of the more refreshing displays here at the auto show, which runs through Sunday, is one for the Michelin Challenge Design, an annual competition held by the French tire maker.
At a press conference celebrating the winners last week there were many reasons for optimism — and not only because there was nary a black turtleneck in sight. The vehicle concepts showed a variety of intrepid solutions in addressing the theme of this year’s challenge: “Smaller. Safer. Better.” That theme fit rather well with the overall message of green and clean evident from the automakers all around us.
“The average weight of a new car in the United States is more than 3,500 pounds,” said Vic Koelsch, whose job as president of Michelin’s worldwide original-equipment passenger and light truck tires business is directly affected by the bloat. “That’s up 15 percent in less than 20 years. Light trucks have grown even more dramatically — increasing almost 1,000 pounds in the last 20 years to a current average of 4,700 pounds.”
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