IIT Mumbai’s John Paul Xavier wins GM India Automotive Design Contest

John Paul Xavier from Industrial Design Centre at IIT Mumbai won General Motors India’s ‘Design the next Chevrolet Contest’.Sachin Panchal from DSK International School of Design in Pune was declared the first runner-up of the contest.Students from various engineering colleges and institutes across the country participated in the contest. Around 1000 entries were received and 40 were shortlisted.

The winner was awarded a brand new Chevrolet Beat.  This contest was aimed at encouraging engineering and design students from the country to take up automobile design as a career and to offer the Indian automobile manufacturers with the talented Indian designers.

The objective of this contest was to design a car that would appeal to Indian tastes, preferences and requirements. The contest also kept in mind Indian driving conditions, the environment and safety. The jury members consisted of Karl Slym, President & Managing Director, GM India, Hormazd Sorabjee, Editor-in-Chief, Autocar, Anil Saini, Director, GM India Design, Global Network Teams & Sumit Sawhney, Vice-President, Sales, Marketing & After-Sales, GM India. Designs were shortlisted by the panel on the following parameters: aesthetics and visual appeal, ergonomics, developmental potential and overall presentation.