Challenge Bibendum Returns to China in 2007

Michelin’s Challenge Bibendum has been seeking solutions to the downside of motoring since 1998, and this year the event returns to the city that last played host to the Challenge in 2004 – Shanghai, China’s largest city and economic hub. This choice of venue is particularly appropriate given China’s growing global profile and its status as the world’s fastest growing vehicle market and vehicle producer, and a brand new location – the Automotive Exhibition Center, part of the Shanghai International Automobile City (SIAC) – has been selected to host the event between November 14 and 17.

As in previous years Challenge Bibendum will tackle pressing issues such as CO2 emissions, traffic congestion, vehicle fatalities and security of fuel supply. And while each of these problems has been present in the West for some time, the burgeoning economies of the world’s most populous countries, China and India, has created a new urgency for the development of alternatives to the status quo. Challenge Bibendum recongises that the change to more environmentally, economically and socially responsible vehicles and infrastructure will not occur organically, and thus entrepreneurs, industrialists and scientists from around the world have been invited to Shanghai to share their vision and present technical solutions to policy makers and the media.

The 2007 Challenge is set to feature both theoretical and hands-on events. The former will include ten technical round table meetings plus discussions on economic and political policy, while guests and media will also be given the opportunity to observe first hand the latest technologies and developments through vehicle demonstrations and ride and drive sessions held at the Automotive Exhibition Center’s own private roads network. Numerous press conferences will be held throughout the Challenge to ensure the public remain suitably informed.

This year’s Challenge Bibendum has been organised with support from the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China, the State Environmental Protection Administration of China, Shanghai Municipal People’s Government and SIAC. If previous Challenge events, including the 2004 event, are any indication, participation from many of the world’s leading vehicle and automotive components manufacturers, as well as suppliers of other relevant technologies, seems assured in Shanghai this year.