Have you ever wondered what a car designed specifically for Hawaii would look like? On October 29th, Local Motors concluded its sixth and most successful car design competition yet. A record 59 designs were submitted to this challenge to design a vehicle for Hawaii using the inspiration of ancient Hawaiian Koa Warriors. Part of the challenge was also to choose a powertrain and fuel source that is supported and efficient for Hawaii. The Local Motors community, consisting of global design talent as well as local Hawaiian car enthusiasts, voted and chose three distinct winners. In 1st, an F1 style surf vehicle, the “iBite” by Iman Maghsoudi of Iran. The Huaka by Pierre Gimbergues of France placed 2nd, representing the most applauded SUV of the group. 3rd place goes to Raphael Laurent of Switzerland, who designed “Unoh”, a jeep style vehicle with unique form. Each of these designs has unique Hawaiian DNA, designed specifically for the car enthusiasts in Hawaii and voted winners by the Local Motors community.
Iman Maghsoudi of Iran took first place and earned $1,500 with his powerful F1 inspired iBite design. His winning car design incorporated features of both the Hawaiian Islands and the Koa Warriors. The most apparent inspiration from Hawaii’s landscape is the rear subframe, reminiscent of a Humpback whale tail. The Hawaiian lifestyle is celebrated with two surfboard style doors. Like the ancient Koa warriors, this F1 style design is meant to be minimalistic, functional, and powerful. Efficiency is key, and a hybrid engine powers the iBite. Iman previously placed 9th in the Manhattan Motors competition with his “Zeropolis”
Known as “Pierro”, Pierre Gimbergues of France is a 2nd time winner of Local Motors’ competitions, and places 2nd in this Hawaii Motors Challenge with “Huaka”, winning $300. The Huaka is not only appropriate for Hawaii, but for Local Motors as well. The wide stance proportions of the vehicle are reminiscent of the LM Rally Fighter (the first community born design to be built), and the idea that the Huaka could be developed on the Rally Fighter platform is an attractive asset of this design. The Huaka, inspired by the woodies of the 1960’s incorporates eye catching wood panels, and loads of storage space for the Hawaiian lifestyle. Hybrid powered, the Huaka is an exciting and practical choice for Hawaii, and Local Motors. Previously Pierre placed 3rd in Manhattan Motors with his NY Electric Concept. Two for Two, Pierro placed in both competitions in which he participated, and is on his way to first place in the near future.
A third time participant in Local Motors competitions, and a respected community member, Raphael Laurent captures 3rd place with his Unoh concept and earns $200. Raphael’
Local Motors is not intending to build a car and facility for Hawaii yet, but the company does want to excite Hawaiian car lovers, a traditionally under-served market, with hope of a Local Motors car designed specifically for them. Local Motors is the first car company to encourage communities and customers to decide which design concepts are developed, built and made available for purchase. The community of customers dictates not only which designs should be built, also where each concept should be built. The Hawaiian community could also dictate the most efficient powertrain choice for the region. Local Motors’ micro-factory arrangement creates an opportunity to service each region individually, maximizing the satisfaction of drivers in each region. Local DNA, community involvement, and locally available efficient fuel networks are utilized to design and develop an optimum, most-desired vehicle for each region. This would certainly be a first for Hawaii, and is a fantastic way to meet the desires of a traditionally under-served automotive enthusiast market, while aiding the Island’s efforts toward energy independence.
Driven by Design
www.local-motors.com
Contact: Ariel Ferreira, aferreira@local-
