Recently, we at CDf  have been making the rounds at various art & design schools for their annual shows, often fondly remembering the days when we “used to design cool cars”.  We’ve been ogling vehicle designs, sketches, models… secretly critiquing, and always wondering if the student concepts could foretell the future design direction of some giant automotive OEM.

While not a said gaint OEM, Local Motors has emerged as a way for students, designers, and enthusiasts to create compelling vehicle designs that may one day actually make it to market as an LM product.  Utlizing a crowd-sourcing concept, LM has created a community (heavily designer-centered… yay!) where individuals submit work to their pre-defined competitions (such as the recently completed California Off Road Machine).  The winning design receives a monetary award, with the possibility to sell the concept to LM for an additional sum.  We will do a full deep-dive of Local Motors very soon.

To find out how you can enter the latest competition, and to see entries from the previous competiton, read on!

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The Scion brand is kind of like a fish out of water right now. Started out swimming strong, but now is struggling with the introduction of some new models. Did their underground niche become too mainstream? Or does everyone know that it is just another Toyota now? Either way it is an interesting brand with a strong marketing strategy. This years Hako Coupe concept was deffinitely a stretch, but was it bad?

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The Geneva Motor Show is undoubtedly the biggest on the planet for concept vehicles, debuts, and blond Swedish models. This year GM took the wraps off of the Saab 9-X BioHybrid Concept, showcasing the latest in the theme that Saab has been evolving over the last couple of years.

Saab tends to be the forgotten horse in the GM stable of brands, yet it may have an identity that rivals Cadillac in strength… especially with the 9-X.

Watch the video of GM’s Design Chief Ed Welburn talk about the 9-X and read on for our full crit.

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We’ve kept our eyes on the Geneva Motor Show for upcoming trends, as we’re sure to find vehicles that we want (but know we can’t get in the US). One vehicle concept that caught our eye is the Opel Meriva. This is the second concept crafted in the new Opel design language, and if history proves right this will undoubtedly become the US’ Saturn design language as well. Watch the video of GM Chief of Design Ed Welburn explaining the Meriva, and read on for our crit.

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Since the recent announcement that the H2 is on its way out, I thought it would be a good time to show what is in Hummer’s future. We have already seen the HX in Detroit, but here is a link to a video showing more of the details that were never really shown. Get past the overplayed “designers out of school speech” and look the images. This is a great concept and hopefully we will see it through to fruition.

Hummer HX VIDEO Link

Renault has a great ability to design beautiful cars without all the fluff and unnecessary designer dodads. Mazda has been trying this whole Nagare (flow) theme and a lot of people think all the wavy lines are useless and have no function. Renault pulls off the fluid theme without all the BS. Here is another great Renault concept.

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If I could have a vehicle wrapped around me like a piece of clothing, this would be it. Precisely tailored, sophisticated details and a look all its own, and it comes in “designer” black. The Land Rover LRX reveals its face again at Geneva with an even more elegant look.

Land Rover is still calling this a concept, but two reveals of the same car is sending a pretty strong message that they are serious about this vehicle - as they should. I want to see this on the streets, but please don’t give in to consumer research and make it a four door.

There are some pics after the jump that were released early since it got leaked. Come back for more once it is unveiled at Geneva in a day or two.

Here is a link to the Detroit LRX and design images….

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Kia is taking a lesson learned from Toyota’s Scion group and possibly offering customized Soul’s when the new CUV hits production next year. Kia will be showing three custom Soul’s at the Geneva show early March. The one shown above in the header is called the Soul Burner. Matte finish, trendy graphics and 2 tone/piece rims will surely make this a hit with the young ones. Who am I kidding, all the baby boomers will be driving them.

We are a fan of the Soul here at the fetish and look forward to see how true they stayed to the concept. Pics of the concept Soul are posted after the jump…. Read more

Yet again, here is another Ridgeline fighter. This time it is GMC’s turn to take a stab at it. Dodge, Mitsubishi and recently Toyota took a turn and have done nothing with it, could GM actually follow through? They did with the Camaro.

The funny thing is that the Ridgeline doesn’t sell that well. Of course it could be the styling that is stunting its growth. Is there a market to go after? Must be since companies keep trying to copy it. Question is, who will be the “second” to build their concept and show Honda how it should have been done.

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Concept cars are like Pop Stars. Hot one minute, gone the next. Just like the press puts a spin on what we know about a celebrity, concept cars to reveal only a small part of themselves. There is so much time and thought put into a concept car and all that gets talked about is the big rims, suicide doors and fancy paint. Okay, so I am exaggerating, but there is a lot of features and great design never shown or talked about.

For how much money is spent (over a million per car) why don’t they showcase every aspect of the design? As a designer I am always looking for any more in depth review (hopefully from the designer) of a design. I am not trying to get to any kind of answer here, but I do know that with car styling not wowing anyone right now, maybe showing their sense of design detail will help retain value in the product.

Here is an example of a vehicle with more thought put into then was ever shown.

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