Nicolas Hogios, Toyota’s chief designer, has agreed to join the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce’s (VACC) automotive design awards judging panel.
The VACC say Hogios’ participation is significant because budding automotive designers will, again, have their entry considered by representatives of all three local automotive manufacturers; Ford, GM Holden and Toyota.
Hogios is well qualified to judge the VACC automotive design awards; not only is he the chief designer at Toyota, he was also winner of the inaugural Wheel’s young designer of thautomotive design awards.
Hogios joined Toyota in 2002 and, among achievements in production design, was responsible for the exterior design of the Toyota Sportivo Coupe concept, which debuted at the Motor Show in 2004.
“I am looking forward to being a VACC automotive design awards judge, representing Toyota. Victoria is the hotbed of automotive design and I know there are many aspiring young auto-designers in this state. I look forward to seeing their entries and providing entrants with feedback, advice and tips to help them follow their dreams of working in an automotive design studio,” says Hogios.
David Purchase, VACC executive director says: “Having Nick on board is a wonderful endorsement of the VACC automotive design awards. He’s a wonderful designer and, as the winner of the inaugural Wheels young designer of the year award in 1998, he will empathise with our student entrants.”
Also joining the judging panel is the man Hogios replaced at Toyota. Paul Beranger, former corporate manager, styling and design, will continue his association with the awards and remain on the panel as an independent judge and chairman.
The VACC automotive design awards is the premier student automotive design competition in the state. Open to secondary and tertiary students in Victoria, they are challenged to design the next generation of road vehicles by drawing a design, making a model or writing an essay. The winners receive cash prizes, as do the student’s school, college or university.
This year, the winners will be announced at the VACC automotive design awards at Federation Square, Thursday, June 20, 2013. Minster for higher education and skills, Peter Hall, will present the Awards and selected entries will be displayed at the Australian International Motor Show, June 28 to July 7.
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