Asahi Kasei Wins German Design Award for Electric Vehicle

Asahi Kasei received the German Design Award 2019 from the German Design Council for the design of its fully driveable electric vehicle AKXY. The company received the award in the category Special Mention. The category recognizes companies for their designs that are particularly successful solutions and honours the commitment of companies and designers. Asahi Kasei will receive the award in the category Excellent Product Design – Conceptional Transportation at a formal ceremony that will be held in Frankfurt on 8 February, 2019.

The German Design Award is known for setting international standards in the area of innovative design developments. It recognizes projects that are considered to be highly pioneering both on the German and international design scene. Commenting on their decision, the design experts on the jury said that the concept combined all the elements of the relevant vehicle areas, both exterior and interior into a progressive design that is highly convincing both when it comes to form and function. They said that the vehicle gave a fascinating glimpse of the automotive world of the future.

“AKXY perfectly combines organic curves with inorganic straight lines,” explained Michitaka Udaka, Head of Automotive Marketing at Asahi Kasei. “I am delighted that this design, which embodies our ideal for the future of safety, comfort and environmental performance in the automobile, has received such prestigious recognition.”

Udaka further said that the futuristic design of the vehicle is in harmony with the environment, while also offering users an invitation to feel good. The components that people would have direct contact with have elegant shapes and are fashioned from soft and warm materials.

From the time that it was launched in Japan in May 2017, AKXY has been showcased at trade shows, roadshows and customer events worldwide. Hideki Tsutsumi, Managing Director of Asahi Kasei Europe said that he was proud of the pioneering vehicle and the achievements of his team of designers and engineers.

Asahi Kasei will present AKXY for the first time at the Electronica show in Europe, which is slated to be held from November 13 to 16.