General Motors truck brand GMC has won the trophy for the 2006 Design Los Angeles Design Challenge with the rendering of its GMC PAD concept.
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The General Motors West Coast Advanced Design Studio team created the design judges called a “LAV,” Living Activity Vehicle.
The concept of the GMC PAD is that of an urban loft with mobility. Featuring a diesel-electric hybrid system for propulsion, the engine also serves as a generator for the onboard power grid. The so-called ‘media rich environment’ is claimed to be unlike any other, and comes with numerous entertainment, information and security options.
The judges were design experts Imre Molnar, dean of College for Creative Studies; Tom Matano, director of Industrial Design for Academy of Art University and Stewart Reed, chairman of transportation design for the Art Centre College of Design.
“We chose this vehicle because it was the pinnacle of creativity,” said Reed. “All the entrants were fantastic designs, but this design was the one which took the biggest risk.”
“This is the true all-around vehicle,” said Matano. “This creates a new segment between the recreational vehicle (RV) and the SUV. The future of this Living Activity Vehicle would appeal to many buyers including corporations, future home-owners, travelling business people and constant travellers looking to go beyond the stereotypical recreational vehicle RV.”
The designs will be on display during the Los Angeles motor show in the mezzanine between the West and South halls of the LA Convention Centre.
“Chuck Pelly, Design LA conference director, said: “The ever-changing trends of Southern California allow for fresh thinking, and we saw something truly unique with this year’s winner.”
The Design Challenge competition began at the 2005 LA show. The theme, “An LA Adventure,” is a reflection of the myriad of activities inherent to Southern California. Designers were challenged to create vehicle designs which best signified this theme.
The competition is part of the Design Los Angeles vehicle designers’ conference, a forum where designers participate in workshops, hear speakers in their field and are given the opportunity to address common issues.
