Proton Holdings Bhd and DRB-HICOM University of Automotive have organised the Proton-DRB-HICOM U Creative Car Challenge (PD3C), a platform for youth and professionals to unleash their ideas for automotive design and technology.
The challenge comprises three sub-events — Creative Car Challenge, Car Modelling Challenge and Design Battle, with the theme “Designing the Future Car, Today”.
The Creative Car Challenge and Car Modelling Challenge categories are open to higher academic institutions, while the Design Battle is open to professional auto designers, lecturers, graduates, staff and students of colleges and universities, as well as the public.
“This is the first time a competition of this nature has been organised by a local university. PD3C is in line with DRB-HICOM University’s aspiration as an automotive university, which is to become the focal point of automotive design and innovation in Asean,” said DRB-HICOM University of Automotive Vice-Chancellor Professor Datuk Sr Dr Omar Osman at the competition’s launching ceremony.
The “pitching session”, which was a preliminary vetting session, was held on March 6-7 and saw 13 teams selected out of more than 30 entries.
They are from higher institutions, such as Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Universiti Malaya, Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Universiti Malaysia Pahang, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Pusat Latihan Teknologi Tinggi Melaka, TAFE College, Institut Kemahiran Mara Tan Sri Yahaya Ahmad, Institut Kemahiran Mara Jasin, Asia Pacific University, Universiti Kuala Lumpur, and DRB-HICOM University.
The finals will be held on Sept 27 to 29.
“We believe PD3C will raise the visibility of DRB-HICOM University’s function in the automotive industry through design and innovation, as well inculcate the creative and innovative culture among its staff and students.
“This is in-line with the government’s National Transformation 2050 (TN50) programme,” said Omar.
PD3C is sponsored by Proton, and supported by Malaysia Design Council (MRM) as the technical partner.
The car proposed for the challenge is based on Proton’s Exora (multi-purpose vehicle); Gen 2, Suprima, Saga BLM and Preve (sedan); and Iris (compact car). Artistic designs will be showcased in the format of design posters, scale models and actual car for the group competition.
Proton chief designer Azlan Othman said the challenge was not about creating a production car.
“The Creative Car Challenge is not only about the design, the appearance but also about the technical aspects. There are many technologies in a vehicle, many components to make a vehicle.
“It is about the understanding of the products, the technology behind each component.”
Echoing Azlan’s view, Malaysia Design Council director Associate Professor Dr Mohamad Hariri Abdullah, who is also the head of judge for the challenge, said: “There’s no restriction on the design. We even allow to ‘extend’ or to ‘shrink’ the vehicles. We are not looking for a concept car, it must be able to run and it must be practical. It could be concept ideas that can be used in real life.”
For the Creative Car Challenge, an entry fee of RM250 was imposed on each team. Every team will be given a Proton car by a balloting process and the car should be based on three segments - MPV, sedan and compact car.
All teams will be monitored and evaluated starting next month to August.
For teams that are not selected to PD3C, they will automatically qualify for the Car Modelling Challenge, which has an entry fee of RM800.
Participants will need to produce a model using cardboard or clay or a 3D printer. For every model, participants need to come up with the video and design process.
For the Design Battle category, the theme will be given by the head of judge on the spot and materials will be provided to all participants. They need to complete a hand sketch and rendering within four hours. The entry fee for the event is RM300.
All winners stand to walk away with cash prizes, medals and certificates.