DETROIT (Jan. 9) — Michelin will hold the 2007 Challenge Bibendum — a rally for green cars and environmentally friendly technology — in mid-November in Shanghai, China, Michelin officials said during the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
Challenge Bibendum, named after the Michelin man mascot, features fuel cell, hybrid, electric and other environmentally friendly vehicles and technology. It attracts hundreds of entries from the world's auto makers, auto suppliers and universities.
The vehicles are tested for emissions, performance and fuel economy. The event was held once before in China, in 2004.
After the accidental drowning of Chairman Edouard Michelin last May off the coast of France, there was some doubt about when the next Challenge Bibendum would take place. A Michelin spokeswoman said the company chose China for this year´s event because of the impact that decisions made in China have on the rest of the world.