Students Unveil 'Green Steel' Concept Vehicles at the American Iron and Steel Institute

DETROIT, Sept. 18, 2008 - The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) is helping Detroit-based College for Creative Studies (CCS) students lead the way in designing environmentally friendly vehicles of the future. CCS design students unveiled their "Green Steel" concept vehicles, which they developed during AISI's 20th annual summer internship program, at a reception today at the Skyline Club in Southfield, Mich.

"The internship program presents a great opportunity for design students to work on real-world challenges facing the automotive industry today," said Ron Krupitzer, vice president of automotive applications for AISI. "Utilizing the benefits of advanced high-strength steels, the students created unique designs without compromising visual appeal, while gaining a personal understanding of environmental, safety, recyclability and cost issues."

CCS students were challenged with conceptualizing, rendering and designing environmentally friendly vehicles for a mega city transportation network in the year 2040. Students created a city grid system that was divided into three tiers of transportation, including: the underground superhighway that regulates traffic coming in, out and through the city; the traffic tier, where fully-automated vehicles commute through a steel sub-tunnel; and the pedestrian tier that is separated from traffic to eliminate the risk of accidents.

The student-created concept vehicles that were unveiled at the "Green Steel" event include:

-- Lincoln Continental, designed by Milton Ruiz, Ann Arbor, Mich. - An electric, two-passenger, cab-like vehicle that features limousine-like luxuries and incorporates high-end technologies, allowing vehicle-to-vehicle communication and the ability to capture images and identify passengers.

-- Mazda Hyoryu, designed by Jesse Boyer, Port Sanilac, Mich. - An electric vehicle for the daily commuter that has the ability to drive itself. The design is inspired by wind, snow drifts and smoke, symbolizing a person with an active lifestyle.

-- Mitsubishi Synthesis, designed by Dave Owsen, Harper Woods, Mich. - An automated, easy-to-maintain-and-disassemble traveling "entertainment center" of the future that bridges the gap between public and personal transportation.