Each year at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, the show’s officially sanctioned automotive design awards are presented by EyesOn Design. The 2018 awards were presented on January 16, 2018, and BMW received two of the coveted prizes.
The all-new BMW X2 Sports Activity Coupe was named the EyesOn Design Best Production Vehicle. This is pretty much a best-of-show award for which new production vehicles at the show are eligible. Given the number of new vehicles introduced at the NAIAS, this was a significant achievement for BMW’s small crossover. The EyesOn judges agreed that the X2 was “an important new entry into the small SUV segment.” The other finalists for the Best Production Vehicle award were the Chevrolet Silverado and the Ram 1500.
The X2 was not only important, it was also prolific as it picked up BMW’s other EyesOn Design award. The award for Vehicle Harmonization recognizes the integration of the exterior design with the interior design. The X2 was noted by the judges as “a successful execution for an SUV in a small package.” The Acura RDX and Ram 1500 were the other finalists.
Sometimes an organization will hand out so many awards that the winners get lost in the crowd. No so with the EyesOn Design awards at the 2018 NAIAS. The small number of prizes increased the impact for each winner, so the BMW X2 taking two of them is significant. Here is a list of the awards and winners. Remember, the emphasis with these awards is on design:
Best Concept Vehicle – Infiniti Q Inspiration
Best Designed Interior – Infiniti Q Inspiration
Best Production Vehicle – BMW X2
Vehicle Harmonization – BMW X2
Innovative Use of Color, Graphics or Materials – Nissan Xmotion
Best Designed User Experience – Ram 1500
The judging panel comprised 30 current and retired designers from across the automotive industry.—Scott Blazey
 [Photos courtesy of EyesOn Design and BMW AG.]
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