With the rising cost of a gallon of gasoline in the United States, American automobile manufacturers certainly have a large interest in the Challenge Bibendum. Michelin is after a more sustainable road mobility performance car and that is exactly what manufacturers and developers will offer.
In past years, corporation participants included GM, Volvo, Peugeot, and many more large automobile companies, along with energy companies that also have special interests in the competition.
The automobile that received the highest overall ranking in the 2006 Challenge Bibendum was a car titled the ZENN, which stands for "zero emission, no noise." Even though the ZENN can only reach twenty-five miles per hour traveling along the road, fuel efficiency reached 63 miles per gallon. The ZENN is operated on twelve 9-volt batteries and has many implications for future developments of automobiles that are more environmentally friendly, as well as more fuel efficient.
Other participants in past years of the Challenge Bibendum hosted by Michelin include the Volkswagen Sun Diesel Golf IV, the hybrid version of Ford Escape, as well as Nissan's X-Trail Fuel Cell vehicle and Audi's A8 TDl.
One vehicle that is to be showcased in the 2007 is the prototype of the new Volvo C30, which is supposed to be a hybrid electric version of the car. Plenty more automobiles will be shown, however, as more and more individuals and companies have a greater need to make and showcase something different for the automobile industry.
Experts have been saying that automobiles need to be cleaner and have better fuel efficiency, and the Challenge Bibendum is one way for automobile developers to show off their talent.
This year the Challenge Bibendum will have an especially greater significance because of the United State's interests. Higher gasoline prices and individuals worried about global warming will truly be interested in what developers are brainstorming when it comes to making better, cleaner, and more efficient automobiles.
