Nissan V2G, Youthmobile 2030 Design Challenge Winner

The 2009 LA Auto Show Design Challenge announced a winner yesterday, with Nissan’s V2G project chosen for its holistic approach in answering the future's design questions and the new generation of drivers demands, while taking environmental aspects into consideration as well.

The winner was therefore selected based on its originality of creative concept, integration of futuristic design elements and level of adaptation to the needs of the young consumer in 2030.

The design studios for Audi, GM, Honda, Mazda, Nissan and Toyota created their interpretation of the Youthmobile 2030, ranging from vehicles that incorporate human DNA allowing changes in the shape, color and materials to vehicles that link into a mass transit system where drivers get to trade music and compare class schedules.

Entries were judged by Tom Matano, Director of Industrial Design at San Francisco's Academy of Art University; Imre Molner, Dean of Detroit's College for Creative Studies; Stewart Reed, Chair, Transportation Design, Pasadena's Art Center College of Design and Jason Hill, Principal of Eleven and Designer of the Aptera electric and plug-in hybrid/electric vehicle.

"The scope of this year's concepts and designs - from the initial sketches to the final presentations - were very impressive," said Chuck Pelly, director of Design Los Angeles and partner in The Design Academy. "In the end, it came down to which team had the most inventive and solution-oriented design. Nissan's designers showed passion and were able to create the ultimate Youthmobile for 2030 with their V2G design."