2009 winners - Autocar-Courland Next Generation Award
The Autocar-Courland Next generation Award has given a dream career start to one car industry debutant. And highlighted some bold thinking.The challenge that we threw out when we launched the Autocar-Courland Next Generation Award in 2009 was “Where will the next automotive industry revolution start, and what will it deliver?”.
Over 30 students responded, all tempted by the lure of a cash prize and a dream start to a career in the automotive industry.
The winner
MOHSIN BASHARMAL
Studying: MDes Transport Design
Idea: Piezoelectric crystals
Twenty-year-old Mohsin Basharmal had an inspired idea that won him our Next Generation Award. It came to him one night at 3am. "I was staring at a cigarette lighter," he explains, “when I began to wonder whether you could use the spark from one of them to power a car."
The piezoelectric crystal in a lighter produces a spark when pressure is applied to it. Mohsin’s idea was to devise a system by which hundreds of those crystals could be integrated into a car’s tyres, inside a thick rubber belt. The pressure on those tyres could, in his estimations, create a constant flow of up to 100kW of energy to power a car.
Mohsin, who hails from Afghanistan and is studying for a Masters of Design at Coventry University, references Israeli piezoelectric pioneer Haim Abramovich as part of his proposal. Abramovich is working on a project to integrate piezoelectric crystals under road surfaces in Haifa, and claims that a 1km stretch of dual carriageway can create a constant 400kW.
Mohsin’s background research impressed the judges, as did his commitment to both his idea and his future. Particularly praised was the fluency with which he delivered his thoughts, especially accounting for the fact that, when he came to the UK in 2002, his English was very rudimentary.
Collecting his prize at the SMMT annual dinner, Basharmal said, "I’m so thrilled to have won. It’s a big step into the future for me, and a vindication of all the effort I’ve put into coming to the UK and progressing my career. It would be wonderful to think I could inspire others in Afghanistan, too."
Mohsin collecting his prize from Steve Cropley at the 2009 SMMT annual dinner
On his work experience, Mohsin reflected, "During my four months with the Award partners Ford, Honda, Harley-Davidson and Marshall Motor Group, I was exposed to a variety of professional skills and experiences, which are transferable when I start my career with any company in the outside world. I was in doubt before as in what I would be doing when I started my work as a Marketing Research Assistant with Harley-Davidson and as a Sales Executive with Marshall Motor Group because my career is mainly based on industrial design."
"I realized afterwards how valuable marketing research is in order to get me into the mind of a customer who will be buying a product that I will be involved in designing. During my placements I have met some professional people and this gave me the opportunity to make myself a profile in the professional world, as I can achieve many goals through networking and a variety work experiences."
Autocar-Courland Next generation Award 2009 Winner Interview
Mohsin was interviewed at Autocar HQ by Martin Bohling, Global Managing Partner at Courland Automotive Practice. Watch a video of the interview below.
The runners up
CHARLIE BRUNDLE
Studying: Industrial Design at Loughborough University
Idea: Cabin design
Charlie had a revolutionary idea for a new, freer approach to cabin design that would produce ergonomics suited to all, specifically in the developing world.
RISHIKIRRAN HARIDHAS
Studying: MSc in Automotive Engineering at the University of Leeds
Idea: Electromagnetic engine
Rishi came up with an electromagnetic engine with reciprocating pistons that could potentially be more efficient than a rotary electric motors.
RENE MEIER
Studying: European Business Programme at the University of Portsmouth
Idea: Intelligent navigation
Proposed an intelligent navigation system drawing data from ‘black boxes’ fitted to vehicles, providing drivers with an advisory speed suggestion that would minimise congestion and emissions.
The Finalists
OLIVER JORIS
Studying: Masters in Materials Science Engineering at Imperial College London
Idea: Modular cars
Oliver's idea, which he presented confidently and with style, was for a revolution in the way cars are built and sold. His ‘Modular Cars’ revolution would allow a customer to buy a car by ordering it in ‘building blocks’.
HOLLY ROBINSON
Studying: PR and marketing at Leeds Metropolitan University
Idea: New automotive brand
Holly’s idea may have lacked a bit of revolutionary status, but it was delivered well. It was for a whole new automotive budget brand called Quest. The brand would begin by making a no-frills family hatchback that would sell on price, economy and environmental credentials. Holly Robinson commented, ."The competition process was a great opportunity for me and as a consequence of my involvement I was offered a job with the Audi Public Relations team.".
What the judges said
Tom Gardner
"Mohsin is a bright and passionate student with a really innovative idea. He’s really engaged my interest in his project; I thought he was crazy at first, but now I’m dying to know how much further he can go with it."
Joe Greenwell
"We asked for a revolutionary idea, and that’s what we got from Mohsin. If he’s right, his idea could change motoring forever. I wanted him to spend more time on the detail of his idea — to tell us about the weight, cost and durability of these crystals. But what if he could actually make it work? It’s a compelling thought."
