A design competition for wrapping Local Motors Rally Fighters in Graphic CarSkins for the forthcoming International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) that will be held this coming September in Chicago is now underway.

Designers will get the opportunity to develop appropriate graphics for two Rally Fighters that the organizers of IMTS have purchased. One of the vehicles is being built at Local Motors microfactory in Chandler, AZ, and the other is going to be built on the exhibit floor at IMTS. The former is going to travel to the Chicago venue making stops along the route. The second is going to be the focus of attention of literally thousands of people from around the world who attend IMTS.

Design a wrap for this Local Motors Rally Fighter

So there are two weeks from now to create an appropriate design for these vehicles. Crowd-sourced voting starts on February 22.

Oh, and there is a cash prize for the winning skin--$1,050—as well as gear and publicity.

Get all the info you need here.

One of the characteristics of a new market is that there are generally developments that occur fast and furious, compared with what happens in existing markets, where development tends to be characterized by, “Well, maybe we’ll paint one blue and call it new.”

And another aspect of new market development is that the entrants aren’t necessarily the usual suspects.

Last week two companies that may be familiar to people through venues other than automotive electric vehicles (not that they aren’t participants, they’re just not ones that are often cited) announced that they’re collaborating on the development of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations.

SPX home charging unit

SPX Service Solutions, which may ring a bell if you’ve hung around service garages where SPX gear is typically found, and Aker Wade Power Technologies, which has long provided gear for recharging industrial forklifts, are going to develop DC fast charging stations that will be suitable for use for any EV.

The charge stations, which will initially be targeted for installation at dealerships, will have the capability of charging a 100-mile range EV with a 25kWh battery pack to full charge in 40 minutes. Fifty miles worth can be achieved in less than 20.

Two points: (1) EVs are going to call into play skill sets not necessarily common in automotive, but not necessarily wholly outside the realm; (2) it is too easy to underestimate what can be accomplished by companies you may not be aware of (“Aw, EVs are going to be limited because it takes too long to charge them.”).

The BMW Manufacturing facility in Spartanburg, SC, is a bit atypical for a factory. Not only are they producing the X3, X5, and X6 vehicles in the assembly plant, but they also operate the Zentrum Museum, a 24,000-sq. ft. facility that serves as a visitor center and, well, museum. While other factories once included places where people could learn more about the cars that were being built there, economic dictates have made it such that the lobbies of many plants simply have a few chairs and a lonely telephone and extension list.

But at BMW Manufacturing, the Zentrum Museum is a sight to behold.

And it is becoming a greener place, as well.

They’ve installed 400 solar modules, each capable of producing 240 watts of electricity to power the Zentrum Museum. What’s more, they’ve added three electric vehicle charging stations on the grounds of the plant that are also being powered by the $500,000 solar array.

BMW Manufacturing is no stranger to alternative energy: It has been collecting methane gas from a local landfill and using it to provide power for more than 50% of the plant’s total energy requirements since 2003. It is worth noting that in 2009 BMW invested $12-million in this landfill gas program to up the efficiency of the operation. While that might seem as though that was quite an expense for being more green, the company has determined that it is saving about $5-million per year in energy costs as a result of that investment.

Possibly that ROI makes things like the Zentrum Museum possible.

While there is a pervasive “can’t-do” attitude in some quarters when stretch goals are set but when it comes to the subject of the 54.5 mpg standards for 2025, certainly a stretch goal, Chrysler-Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne is not among those who are wallowing in excuses.

According to a story in Automotive News, after presenting a speech at the NADA convention in Las Vegas Marchionne told reporters, “"This standard is 14 years out. If you start giving up on projects that are 14 years out, we might as well choose another occupation."

Exactly. You work to achieve things that are hard.  That’s your job.  That’s why it is work.  That’s why some people are successful and some only talk about it.

Or you don’t work hard at achieving things and you spend your energies coming up with excuses as to why it can’t be done, or why it is too expensive or. . . blah, blah, blah. And you keep hoping that the status will remain quo.

Guess what? It won’t.

If people at the top of organizations don’t have the vision—and the fundamental fortitude—to see where they need to go and then encourage their engineers, technicians, purchasing people, designers, manufacturing personnel, etc. to strive to get there, then maybe they ought to find something else to do for a living.

By the way: The NADA isn’t on board with the 54.5 mpg  On November 16, 2011, the organization stated: “This regulation gambles that millions of consumers will be able to afford thousands more for generally smaller, more expensive vehicles that may not meet their needs. This policy is contrary to what most consumers are actually buying today, despite the wide availability of more fuel efficient models. We need fuel economy policies that encourage the sales of fuel efficient vehicles, instead of risky mandates that frustrate consumer demand and depress fleet turnover. The number one question that must be asked is: How many people will no longer be able to afford a new vehicle if the government raises the price of a new car by about $3,000? We will analyze the rule with this principal question in mind. We urge Congress to do the same.”

Doesn’t sound particularly can-do, does it?

Of all of the design cues of recent years, the implementation of LED lights in the front fascias of Audis certainly shines brightly. As Scott Keogh, chief marketing officer at Audi of America, put it in talking about the Super Bowl ad that you’ll be able to see in the first quarter on Sunday or can watch right here right now:

“With LED, there’s no mistaking an Audi. Since pioneering the technology nearly 10 years ago, LED lights have established the Audi persona, have become one of the most recognizable features on the road.”

If only Audi had been able to patent the use of those lights because the pioneer has had many followers in this space.

As in:

Chrysler

Mercedes:

Cadillac:

Ford:

Kia:

And there are more where those came from.

While there is that sincerest form of flattery thing going on, we wonder what the next iconic look will be.

Thank goodness the faux side air vents have come and gone.