LOS ANGELES, California, December 1 /PRNewswire/ --
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GM Advanced Design has won the Los Angeles Auto Show's Design Challenge for the second year in a row. This year's winning entry is a two-dimensional rendering of a 2015 concept that addresses environmental sustainability. Called the HUMMER 02, this design proves that daily use of a vehicle could result in a net gain for the environment.
The 2006 Design Challenge theme is Environmental Sustainability, a challenge for design studios to transform the future of driving into an environmental experience. Contest guidelines also required that vehicle entries be 100-percent recyclable and have a maximum lifespan of just 60 months. GM's entry is presented as a series of two-dimensional images, not as a 3D model.
Designers at GM's West Coast Advanced Design Studio in Southern California tackled the far-reaching challenge - to develop a concept that resulted in a net gain for the environment. The GM team crafted an entry that surpasses the contest's sustainability principles: the HUMMER O2 Concept.
"The HUMMER O2 epitomizes the ethos of the true Southern California outdoors enthusiast with rugged capability, a 'tread lightly' contact system and construction methods promoting safety, accessibility and reusability," said Frank Saucedo, director, GM Advanced Design in California. "Most vehicles in L.A. spend 95 percent of their time outdoors subjected to sunlight, so why couldn't a vehicle give back?"
To fully understand the HUMMER O2, the GM team believes that terms commonly associated with ecology and biology work best.
Photosynthesis
The HUMMER O2 Concept features a revolutionary phototropic body shell that produces pure oxygen throughout the life of the vehicle. Algae-filled body panels transform carbon dioxide into pure oxygen that is subsequently released back into the environment and inside the vehicle.
"The panels essentially function as the 'leaves' of the HUMMER O2 and effectively clean the air in the surrounding environment," said Saucedo. "Used algae are recycled as biomass for the further production of energy."
Breathing
The HUMMER O2 promotes the production of oxygen by a two-way valve system in the corner of each panel. The sophisticated devices control and monitor the amount of carbon dioxide and source nutrition needed for the algae cultivation while optimizing oxygen production and distribution.
Energy
Four modular and self-contained fuel cells power hydraulic motors built into each wheel. A hydrogen tank is placed in an ideal central location for safety and structural purposes, becoming the "heart" of the vehicle.
Footprint
Active Tread TM tires provide low resistance on the highway while allowing excellent off-road progress as their shape changes - adapting to and protecting the surrounding environment.
Structure
Finally, to further reduce environmental impact, the HUMMER O2's construction specifies the use of 100-percent post-consumer materials, including an aluminum frame, seats finished with Volatile Organic Components-free (VOC-free) materials and glazing via PETE (similar to everyday consumer packaging, such as soda bottles).
The GM West Coast Advanced Design Studio won the 2005 Design Challenge competition with its GMC PAD Concept, a mobile urban loft designed for the L.A. environment.
General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world's largest automaker, has been the global industry sales leader for 75 years. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 327,000 people around the world. It has manufacturing operations in 33 countries and its vehicles are sold in 200 countries. In 2005, GM sold 9.17 million cars and trucks globally, up 2 percent and the second-highest total in the company's history. In Europe, GM sells its Opel, Vauxhall, Saab, Chevrolet, Cadillac, Corvette and Hummer ranges in over 30 markets. It operates 11 production and assembly facilities in eight countries and employs around 62,560 people. More information on GM and its products can be found at http://media.gmeurope.com and http://www.gmeurope.com.
Steve Janisse
Manager, GME Design & Technology
Communications
Office: +49-6142-7-73864
Mobile: +49-170-3395900
Steve.Janisse@de.gm.com
Julie Huston-Rough
Manager, GM Design Communications
Office: +1-586-986-5606
Mobile: +1-313-549-6977
E-mail: julie.huston-rough@gm.com
Steve Janisse, Manager, GME Design & Technology Communications, Office: +49-6142-7-73864, Mobile: +49-170-3395900. Steve.Janisse@de.gm.com, Julie Huston-Rough, Manager, GM Design Communications, Office: +1-586-986-5606, Mobile: +1-313-549-6977, E-mail: julie.huston-rough@gm.com
