Dassault Systèmes to Sponsor 2nd Annual ‘EyesOn Design’ Competition at 2007 North American International Auto Show

Automotive design program benefits the visually impaired

Paris, France and Auburn Hills, Mich., USA, January 8, 2007 ─ Dassault Systèmes (DS) (Nasdaq: DASTY; Euronext Paris: #13065, DSY.PA), the world leader in 3D and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), today announced that it will co-sponsor the second annual ‘EyesOn Design’ competition to be held at the 2006 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) on January 9, 2006.  EyesOn Design is a Detroit Institute of Ophthalmology (DIO) fundraising event, which honors and recognizes the most significant new automotive designs on display at the auto show. Internationally renowned designers from the automotive, consumer and industrial design communities will judge the show’s extensive display of innovative production and concept vehicles. 

Vehicles are judged in three categories that embody critical elements of vehicle design -- the Aesthetics & Innovation Award, the Concept Implementation Award and the Functionality Award.  Dassault Systèmes is the sole sponsor of the Aesthetics & Innovation Award, which focuses on the essence of design and the innovation it takes to develop a new and significant design.

“At last year’s Auto Show, almost 70% of the new vehicles launched were designed using Dassault Systèmes software, so it is a natural fit for us to be part of the EyesOn Design program,” commented Dassault Systèmes CEO and President Bernard Charles, who will present the Aesthetics & Innovation Award.  “Our goal is to provide tools that enable innovation throughout the entire design and manufacturing process, helping the automotive industry produce exciting, high quality vehicles within a reasonable time frame and at a reasonable price.  We are honored to partner with the DIO and to be a part of this prestigious event, which recognizes automotive design excellence and raises money to assist the visually impaired.”

Top international designers comprise the jury for the 2007 EyesOn Design awards, including Willie G. Davidson (Harley-Davidson); Fabrizio Giugiaro (ItalDesign); and Niels Diffrient (Ridgefield CT - industrial design and architecture). “The goal of this program was to create an awards program that celebrates the design profession,” said Tom Gale, chief judge for the EyesOn Design Awards and the former head of design for Chrysler.  "We are excited to see what the 2007 award show has in store." 

Founded in 1972, the DIO works to educate the visually impaired, helping to preserve vision through public and professional education and by supporting research related to vision and the eye.  More than 6,000 people directly benefit from these programs each year.