Powered by a fuel cell, the Hummer 02 is envisioned to "breathe" through a revolutionary phototropic body shell that produces pure oxygen throughout the lifespan of the vehicle. Algae-filled body panels transform harmful CO2 into pure oxygen that is subsequently released back into the environment.
"Our goal was to develop a concept that will replace the carbon footprint of automobiles. Our Finnish designer came up with an idea based around a photosynthesis cell and the whole team worked together to develop the concept," said Frank Saucedo, head designer General Motors Advanced Design. "This is a great competition for our young designers and we look forward to participating each year."
Entries were judged by multi-discipline design professionals who selected the winner for its originality of creative concept, contribution to the environment, degree of safety and reflection of a unique, spirited California "green" lifestyle.

"We were overwhelmed by the depth of imagination and creative thinking these top design studios created for this year's challenge," said Chuck Pelly, director of Design Los Angeles and partner in The Design Academy. "Hummer 02 was chosen because of the wide-range of known technologies included, but with an imaginative twist, such as the tread "light" tire technology. GM's vehicle has an approachable view of the future," said Pelly.

The purpose of the Design Challenge is to pit the manufacturers' Los Angeles-based design studios against one another. This year, studios were challenged to imagine a time when all vehicles have "green" technology allowing drivers to enjoy the Southern California environment without harming it. Designers enjoy participating in the challenge because it is a strong venue to showcase their talents and further explore new ideas in automotive design. In the past, participating studios have received impressive amounts of worldwide exposure among peers and media.

The Design Challenge is a part of Design Los Angeles, which began at the 2005 LA Auto Show and has become an important part of the show. Design Los Angeles is a one day symposium where workshops, speakers and other opportunities are provided to designers in the automotive industry.

Being that Los Angeles is home to a majority of the design studios representing automakers in North America, Europe and Asia, as well as the Art Center College of Design, one of the world's leading transportation design centers, Design Los Angeles has become an integral component in designers' ongoing development.

The world's automobile companies will be stepping forward with a number of production and concept vehicle world debuts to help usher in "A New Beginning" for the Los Angeles Auto Show. The theme conveys the increased national and international stature due to the show's earlier dates. The new dates give the show its own time period on the international auto show calendar, thereby resolving a 25-year-old conflict with the auto show in Detroit.