19 October 1998, Tokyo. Mitsubishi Motors Corporation uses the company web site to announce the start of "Mitsubishi Motors International Design Competition 99" today.

Mitsubishi Motors' Tama Design Center (TDC) is using the company's web site to inform the general public about the competition during the period 19 October 1998 through 10 March 1999. The competition is expected to attract entries from amateur and professional designers from many countries with markedly different cultures and levels of motorization.

This marks the second time the company has used the Internet to announce a design competition open to the general public. As with the inaugural event, the competition this year provides an opportunity for the company to gather information on customer needs regarding new products and design ideas for future vehicles, as well as to publicize worldwide the new corporate slogan, Innovation in Motion.

Opened in May 1996, the TDC (located in Tama City on the outskirts of Tokyo) is engaged in research into advance design and in model building. This advanced design facility also stages a number of events each year to promote communications with the general public.

Mitsubishi Motors
International Design Competition 99: Guidelines

Theme "Long lasting"
The Innovation in Motion corporate slogan adopted by Mitsubishi Motors this year exemplifies the company's commitment to building high quality automobiles, as well as providing high quality service to, and building long-standing relationships with, its customers. Entrants are invited to submit a design for a vehicle that embodies these ideals. The company is looking for designs that are both user- and environment-friendly, that promote a strong emotional attachment, that have a long service life and that bring fun and enjoyment into people's motoring lives.

Eligibility
The competition is open to all amateur and professional designers, of any age group or nationality, who possess graphic rendering skills.

Selection criteria

• Conformity with competition theme
• Design qualities
• Originality
• Ecological qualities
• Universal applicability (the design should lend itself to widest possible range of users in terms of age, sex and driving skills)
• Safety qualities
• Development potential

How to enter
The entrant should submit the prescribed entry form containing a description of the design and accompanied by graphical renderings (sketches, drawings, computer graphics, etc.). The entrant may also submit an entry form accompanied by up to two A2-size panels bearing handwritten work or photographs. Models should be mailed or delivered by hand to the Competition Office.

Entries will not be accepted online via the web site or other forms of electronic data transmission. The web site design competition page exists solely for the purpose of providing details about, and announcing the results of, the competition.

Entry forms may be downloaded from the Mitsubishi Motors TDC home page, or by contacting the Competition Office.

Entry deadline
Entries accepted from 19 October, 1998 through 10 March, 1999.

Judging and announcement of results
Entries will be judged by a panel made up of leading authorities in the auto design field and of Mitsubishi Motors in-house designers. The results will be announced on the company's web site some time after the middle of April, 1999.

Prizes

Grand Prize (1):	1,000,000 yen
Runners up (2):	200,000 yen
Honorable mentions (2):	100,000 yen

Home page URL address

http://www.mitsubishi-motors.co.jp/DESIGN/

Competition office
SPAZIO Institute For Advanced Thinking Inc.,
8F Shibuya Threesome Bldg.
4-4-5 Aobadai, Meguro-ku
Tokyo 153-0042
Tel: +81-3-5453-1231
Fax: +81-3-5453-1232
e-mail: project@spazio.com

Sponsors

Mainsponsor :	Mitsubishi Motors Corporation
Sponsors :	Ryoin Co., Ltd.; Mitsubishi Estate Company, Ltd.; Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd.; Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
Support :	Mitsubishi Design Associates