The car industry is probably one of the most conservative when it comes to design processes, but now Fiat is trying to change that with their new concept car, Fiat Mio.
Fiat Brazil have created an online platform, where users can submit ideas for their own visions of the car of the future. Ideas are rated and discussed by community members and Fiat designers and engineers are trying to translate the best ideas into a new product – the Fiat Mio (My Fiat).
Time will tell whether Fiat Mio is simply a publicity stunt or a serious attempt to involve users as a real source of inspiration. The concept car will be revealed at an auto show in Sao Paulo in October 2010, but already now, you can see sketches and models online.
One of the people involved in the project is head of design Brazil, Peter Fassbender who has previously been involved in the development of iconic Fiat cars Multipla and Barchetta. You can watch him and other members of the Fiat team present the process in the video documentary “Making of”, which is available on YouTube.
Related: Volvo YCC (‘Your Concept Car’) was created in 2004, entirely by women to meet the needs of women drivers. One of the features of the car was a keychain button which automatically opened the nearest door to make it easy for someone holding bags of groceries…
• www.fiatmio.cc and a blog about the process
Local Cars are doing something similar.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azCRuwtE_n0
Note that Fiat Mio was initiated more than a year ago – only now is the product ready.
I recommend you guys try to get a copy of Fiat Mio’s book. AgenciaClick Isobar run the projetct and published a book.