This week French magazine L'argus de l'automobile launches its 6th Utility Vehicle European Design competition. The contest runs until the 5th November, with the task to design a new commercial vehicle on the theme: "How to optimize urban goods delivery in large cities".
Traffic flow is an issue for most of today's cities. There are differences from one city to another in terms of topography, city planning, traffic flow planning or even local culture, but all cities share the problem of goods delivery. Entrants will first need to select a series of cities, grouped on the basis of their common points: similar situations, comparable urban problems, same type of issues of urban development and transport. The cities do not necessarily have to be in the same geographical and cultural areas. Entrants will then list the general obstacles to and the specific problems of goods delivery that people have in these cities, and finally suggest an innovative commercial vehicle concept that provides solutions to the problems, justifying their choices.
The competition is open to students attending design colleges within the European Union, including specializations such as automotive and industrial design, fine arts, and architecture.
The winner will receive a sum of 3,000 Euros, as well as an internship within the design department of French car manufacturer Citroen. The projects short-listed for the final will be exhibited during the award ceremony on 5th December 2007 at the Eiffel Tower.
Information and submission: www.argusauto.com/trophees