General Motors and the Department of Energy host each year the Challenge X. It is a contest for the next generation to encourage them to make a car that we might possibly buy tomorrow. All contenders are given a Chevrolet Equinox and instructed to make an incredibly clean and fuel efficient car that people would buy. They have to make sure that the car they would make would have no funky aerodynamics, no skinny tires, and no batteries that die after 20 miles. Cup holders must also be present.
Mississippi State won for the second time. A hybrid electric drivetrain powered by a 1.9 liter direct injection turbodiesel, running on B20 biodiesel was given to Equinox. The drivetrain they made increased fuel economy by 38% over the production vehicle which only gets 19 mpg. The second place was given to Wisconsin State with almost the same strategy- a hybrid electric vehicle with 1.9 liter GM direct injection turbo diesel engine fueled by B20. Likewise the third place used almost the same formula.
Majority of the 17 contestants preferred to utilize turbodiesel hybrid drivetrains. They only differ in their modeling stratagem. Some teams used the available smaller, more fuel-efficient turbodiesel. To decide who the winner was. Series of tests were done over 12 days like drag racing, road rally, and autocross to determine fuel economy and emissions. Consumer acceptability was also the determining factor.
Now, if you would happen to be included in the said contest, what strategy would you use to gain the favor of consumers?
