The Motor City (aka Detroit), appropriately starts the new year with the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). Dassault Systèmes takes part in the NAIAS activities in a variety of ways, starting with the MAIN (Motorcity Automotive Industry Night) Event on Sunday, Jan. 11. This gala kick-off for the NAIAS, co-sponsored by Dassault Systèmes, recognizes the Automotive Innovator of the Year, Global Industry Executive of the Year, and student designers from Lawrence Technological University’s (LTU) Transportation Design program for their contributions to automotive excellence. Through its sponsorship, Dassault Systèmes presents the Student Innovator award as well as having a demonstration booth at the event.
Dassault Systèmes is also the Signature sponsor of the EyesOn Design Awards and fundraising event held on Tuesday, Jan. 13. There are four awards given to new vehicles unveiled during the show and Dassault Systèmes presents the award for Best Concept Vehicle. With a judging team comprised of 30 global design leaders including Dassault Systèmes’ VP of Design Experience, Anne Asensio, this event is recognized as one of the industry’s most prestigious award programs.
With nearly 40-vehicle debuts expected, the show provides opportunity for Dassault Systèmes to illustrate its strength within the automotive industry as approximately 70-percent of the cars at the show will have been designed using CATIA software. All but one of the vehicles chosen as finalists for the North American Car and Truck of the Year Awards (Ford Mustang, Hyundai Genesis and Volkswagen Golf; Lincoln MKC, Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Colorado) were designed using Dassault Systèmes.
Dassault Systèmes support of the academic community and STEM education will be seen at the LTU booth where a student project for Honda, focused on the user experience and interaction with the vehicle, will be on display. Students developed their designs using CATIA V6 and LIVEHuman so they could clearly see how the consumer might interact within the vehicle.
Look for more news during media days starting Monday, January 12.
