Students Envision Wild New Interiors for the Cars of Tomorrow

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., April 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The cars we drive in the years to come will be safer, more comfortable, and customizable based on occupant mood and desires.  That's according to College for Creative Studies students participating in the Ward's Student Design Competition, which will be featured at the SAE 2011 World Congress on Wednesday, April 13 in Detroit, MI.

Organized by Ward's Automotive Group and the College for Creative Studies (CCS), the competition encourages CCS students to envision a vehicle interior that will meet the needs of a young, green-minded professional in the year 2020.  The contest is sponsored by automotive suppliers International Automotive Components (IAC) and Lear Corporation, with support from SAE International.

"These students offer a refreshing take on the interiors we'll see in the near future," says Drew Winter, Editor-in-Chief of Ward's AutoWorld.  "Auto makers are always looking for perspectives that go well beyond traditional styles and designs.   This is a rare opportunity to see ideas from young  people who have not yet run their concepts up a management chain and been told 'no' at several points along the way.  This is unbridled creativity, but with very real, practical applications for production vehicles in the near future."

All design entries will be on display at the SAE World Congress (April 12-14, 2011, Cobo Hall, Detroit, MI) in Ward's booth M-1107.  Finalists will be unveiled during a ceremony at the Ward's booth on Wednesday, April 13 at 4:30 pm.  The finalists will then be honored at the Ward's Auto Interiors Conference (April 17, 2011, Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Dearborn MI), where the grand prize winner will be announced, along with recipients of special awards from IAC and Lear.

The Lear Innovation Award will be bestowed upon the student whose work includes a specific design or technological innovation the judges deem particularly creative and forward-thinking. The IAC EcoBlend Award will go to the student whose design or concept best embraces green mobility, utilizes lightweight renewable/recyclable materials and other Earth-friendly innovations.

Videos of the students presenting their designs to the competition's judges have been posted at http://wardsauto.com/studentcompetition.  For more information on the Ward's Auto Interiors Conference, visit  http://wardsauto.com/interiors.

About Ward's Automotive Group

Ward's Automotive Group is a world-leading provider of auto industry news, data and analysis, having served the industry's information needs for more than 80 years. Ward's AutoWorld is a monthly magazine serving automotive professionals.  WardsAuto.com is an online subscription service delivering virtually all the industry news, data and analysis compiled by Ward's Automotive Group, the world's leader in automotive industry information. A Southfield, MI - based division of Penton Media, Inc., Ward's Automotive Group also publishes the weekly industry newsletter Ward's Automotive Reports, and offers a wealth of other automotive information services including reference annuals, online databases, and customized data reports.

About Penton Media, Inc.

As a leading, independent, business-to-business media company, Penton knows business and how to create and disseminate the vital content that moves markets. Penton is where professionals turn to gain the critical insight, expert analysis, and relevant connections needed to compete and succeed. Headquartered in New York City, the privately held company is owned by MidOcean Partners and U.S. Equity Partners II, an investment fund sponsored by Wasserstein & Co., LP, and its co-investors. For additional information on the company and its businesses, visit www.penton.com.

About the College for Creative Studies

College for Creative Studies (CCS) is an integrated learning community located in Detroit. A private, fully accredited college, CCS enrolls 1,400 students pursuing Master of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees. CCS also offers visual art opportunities for learners of all ages through its Community Arts Partnerships and Continuing Education programs. The Advancing the Creative Spirit campaign enables CCS to provide a world-class art and design curriculum and innovative programming. The $55 million campaign has raised more than $45 million to date, and the College is working hard to keep its promise to the community. For more information, visit www.collegeforcreativestudies.edu/about

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Jill Baldassano
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SOURCE Ward’s Automotive Group