When Michelin decided to start the Challenge Design, its intentions were clear enough: get budding designers all over the world to come up with novel ways to showcase the French company's tyre products, in return for getting a very public forum for their talents. At the competition's stand in Detroit we took a close look at some of the models on display. The Nemo concept you see pictured here was present in scale model only, but it really caught our attention.

Name stealing aside, this little car features a superb innovation that really should be snapped up by a car manufacturer. In normal mode, Nemo plays the role of ultra compact city car, with comfortable accommodation for two. It is about the size of a Smart ForTwo and is designed to utilise electric-hybrid technology. No need to worry about punctures either as Nemo features Michelin's forthcoming airless tyre technology (that's the competition sponsor satisfied...).

The innovation on this concept is a fifth wheel, built into the rear panel. No, it's not so it can carry out spectacular wheelies... The rear panel hinges downwards to reveal a covered flat-bed, suitable for storage and transportation of light goods. This is a very neat solution and would go down a treat with many businesses in built-up areas; pizza delivery for one. Nemo's designer is Zeng Zhicong (21, Chinese), and is attending Wuhan University of Technology studying for a degree in automobile engineering.

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