Nov 14, 2024 03:52

Unlocking the key to attracting talent to bodyshops

The shortage of skilled labour in bodyshops, particularly refinishers, is a complex issue. Attracting talent to the industry requires alignment of several multifaceted points: it’s an industry that has a historic reputation for being hands-on, manual, dirty and potentially dangerous; today’s young people don’t expect a job for life but rather will “test and taste” different careers; and refinishers and mechanics have little to no visibility with car owners so they may struggle to find a true sense of job satisfaction.

Nov 06, 2024 10:57

3M and Axalta Collaborate to Launch Training Content for Automotive Refinishing

3M and Axalta today announced a collaboration to introduce a new training content series focused on automotive refinishing. The series will feature five co-branded training modules, each intended to meaningfully help technicians and shops improve their understanding of repair process practices and drive greater operational outcomes.

Sep 10, 2024 05:00

Axalta Introduces Axalta Nimbus™, an Advanced Cloud-Based Platform for Refinish Customers, to Improve Productivity and Performance

Axalta Nimbus connects all of Axalta’s tools and resources in a single platform helping customers to do business smarter

Sep 03, 2024 11:00

Axalta Introduces Axalta Irus Scan, a Next-Generation Spectrophotometer, for Refinish Customers

Innovation helps customers improve productivity, optimize labor, and reduce waste while delivering accurate color matches

Jul 19, 2024 08:00

Axalta Announces 100th Installation of Fully Automated Axalta Irus Mix Machine for Automotive Refinish Industry

Axalta, a leading global coatings company, today announced the installation of its 100th Axalta Irus Mix, a fast and efficient fully automated and completely hands-free mixing machine for the automotive refinish industry. The installation took place in France at Bodyshop Carenove, who has used Standox, one of Axalta’s premium automotive refinish brands, for more than 20 years.

Jul 16, 2024 08:00

Axalta Announces Partnership with CESVIMAP and the Move2Green Sustainability Program

Through this partnership, Axalta’s refinish customers will have access to CESVIMAP’s Move2Green sustainability program which offers an online, self-assessment questionnaire to evaluate the current environmental impact of bodyshops. Once an auditor analyzes the data, Axalta customers will receive a detailed roadmap with actionable steps to improve their sustainability initiatives as well as the Move2Green certification to promote their commitment to reducing their environmental footprint.

May 21, 2024 08:00

Axalta Announces Partnership with Solera, a Global Leader in Vehicle Lifecycle Management

Through this partnership, Axalta’s conventional and Fast Cure Low Energy (FCLE) refinish paint systems will be integrated into Solera’s Sustainable Estimatics platform, enabling Axalta customers to estimate their CO2 emissions per repair, while considering repair methods (repair versus replace), paint application process, and drying conditions.

Jan 31, 2024 03:08

Embracing sustainability: from buzzword to transformative business model

Sustainability used to be a buzzword that appeared in annual reports and gave shareholders the feeling that the company in which they owned a stake was doing something positive. Sustainability didn’t always align with company strategy but rather sat somewhere on the side lines, looking in. Today, those vagaries are long gone. In their place is a robust, transformative business model that resides at the core of operations, aligns fully with strategy and ensures marketplace differentiation. If there was any doubt that shift had taken place, the tale of the tape clearly tells the story.

Jan 30, 2024 07:26

Axalta Announces Starry Night as 2024 Global Automotive Color of the Year

Axalta today announced its 2024 Global Automotive Color of the Year – Starry Night. The latest edition marks the 10th year Axalta has introduced its automotive color of the year and the first time it has featured a black shade. Starry Night is a strong, contemporary color with light blue and silver flakes that evokes the depths of our universe and space exploration

Nov 17, 2023 05:26

Axalta Named Exclusive Supplier for BMW Group’s Private Paint Label ColorSystem in EMEA

Axalta has been named exclusive supplier for BMW Group’s private paint label, ColorSystem, in currently 15 Europeans countries plus South Africa. The agreement includes BMW Group’s network of 730 dealerships and collision repair partners. BMW Group’s ColorSystem is engineered to be one of the world’s most technologically advanced paint systems. It offers refinishing solutions that meet BMW Group's original manufacturer standards.

Oct 26, 2023 11:13

Axalta congratulates Innoptus Solar Team

Axalta, a leading global supplier of liquid and powder coatings, congratulates the Innoptus Solar Team from the University of Leuven, Belgium, on defending its World Champion title in the Projecta Challenger Class of the biennial Bridgestone World Solar Challenge.

Oct 04, 2023 10:07

A productive process for new part metal substrate preparation from Cromax

Using new metal parts during a repair is not unusual for refinishers but ensuring the substrate preparation – in particular the sanding - is as productive and effective as possible just got easier, thanks to Cromax®. The premium refinish brand has created an easy-to-follow process using its Ultra Performance Energy System and Audurra, the accessory brand from Axalta, so refinishers can be confident of achieving the perfect sanding preparation of new metal parts.

Aug 30, 2023 07:59

Cromax launches new aerosol PS1504A Quickfill Primer-Surfacer in grey

Cromax® launches a new 1K aerosol primer-surfacer in grey (VS4), PS1504A Quickfill Primer-Surfacer, to help maximise bodyshop productivity. Thanks to reduced process steps, simple universal application and very quick drying performance, bodyshops can be more productive, profitable and sustainable.

Aug 22, 2023 08:43

Axalta Refinish adds RADAR compliant colour formulas to global colour database

Axalta Refinish has added RADAR compliant colour formulas to its global online colour databases - ChromaWeb, Phoenix Cloud and Standowin iQ Cloud - to be prepared for future RADAR requirements for the repair of cars equipped with Advanced Driver Assistant Systems (ADAS).

Jul 27, 2023 07:03

Axalta Innoptus Solar Car unveiling

– Infinite, the tenth solar car designed and built by a team of engineering students from the Belgian Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium, was unveiled on 14 July 2023 at an event in the Port Authority Building House located in the Port of Antwerp, Belgium.

Jun 27, 2023 04:01

Axalta Refinish launches its Axalta Academy globally – training that fits the way a bodyshop works

The Axalta Academy, a state-of-the-art global training platform for refinish professionals, is launching globally in 15 languages to empower refinishers to maintain and to improve their specialised competencies with top-class training. The platform adjusts to the way in which they work, and is backed by Axalta’s unrivalled, industry-leading expertise.

May 11, 2023 03:53

Axalta launches Axalta Irus Mix

Axalta today launches Axalta Irus Mix, the fastest fully automated and completely hands-free mixing machine for the automotive refinish industry. Axalta Irus Mix delivers highly accurate colour and works with Axalta’s innovative packaging, maximising profitability and minimising environmental impact to help refinish customers meet or exceed key business goals.

Mar 23, 2023 11:17

Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Signs Axalta as Official Sponsor for the 2023 season

Axalta is the Official Sponsor for the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGPTM Team for the 2023 MotoGPTM World Championship season. This is the 14th consecutive year that Axalta has supported the Team in the premier class of motorcycle racing, which this year sees riders competing in 21 Grands Prix in 18 countries worldwide.

Mar 14, 2023 10:44

Axalta agreement with Innoptus Solar Team

Axalta has re-signed as sponsor of the Innoptus Solar Team, the third time as Silver Sponsor. It is the eighth consecutive year Axalta is working with the Team, comprised of engineering students from the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium, who are designing and building a solar-powered car.

Jan 12, 2023 11:18

Axalta Announces Global Automotive Color of the Year for 2023 Techno Blue

Axalta today announced its 2023 Global Automotive Color of the Year – Techno Blue. This is the 9th year the company has featured a trending color.

Jan 06, 2023 02:33

Axalta’s 2022 Global Automotive Color Popularity Report Marks 70th Year of Providing Industry Insights

Axalta Coating Systems has released its 70th annual Global Automotive Color Popularity Report, which revealed the top three automotive colors of 2022: white, black, and gray. First published in 1953, Axalta’s annual color popularity report is the automotive industry’s longest running and most comprehensive color account.

Sep 21, 2022 05:28

Smarter equipment investment for bodyshops with Drivus Financial Services

Drivus is once again revolutionising the automotive refinish market in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), with its newly launched Financial Services. By simplifying the equipment leasing process, Drivus Financial Services allows bodyshops to stay up-to-date with the most recent technology, offering easy access to equipment upgrades, which will deliver increased efficiency and provide a strong competitive advantage.

Sep 20, 2022 06:22

Cromax takes the mystery out of matt finishes with the launch of a new Chroma Matt Clear System

Cromax® introduces the Chroma® Matt Clear System, comprising two newly developed matt clears - CC6020 Chroma Matt System Clear and CC6010 Chroma Semi Matt System Clear. These inter-mixable clears have been designed to create a best-in-class system, offering refinishers six matt levels to match the wide range of OEM production finishes, from matt (5GU) and semi matt (65GU).

Aug 22, 2022 05:25

Axalta Refinish FCLE reduces energy cost and carbon footprint

The energy crisis, called by some the most extreme that has ever occurred in Europe , is worsening. Businesses are facing the double hit of spiralling costs and increasing inflation on top of energy costs that are extraordinarily high - and rising. Controlling costs is now top of most businesses’ agendas, and bodyshops are no different, particularly as they utilise energy to carry out their daily work.

Aug 22, 2022 03:27

Axalta Refinish unveils new branded websites

Axalta Refinish has unveiled three new websites for its premium refinish brands – Cromax, Spies Hecker and Standox – that cater specifically for the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region. The sites, which went live on 17 August 2022, offer visitors modern, clean homepages and page content with an enhanced and complete browsing experience.

Jun 16, 2022 10:02

Axalta Refinish showcases its drive for innovation at IBIS Global Summit 2022 in Monaco

Axalta Refinish is one of the Platinum Partners at the International Bodyshop Industry Symposium (IBIS) Global Summit 2022 in Monaco, taking place between 15 and 17 June 2022. Axalta Refinish is showcasing a number of its most recent ground-breaking firsts to a global audience of leaders and innovators in the automotive collision repair industry.

Mar 29, 2022 06:25

Axalta becomes official sponsor of The Monster Energy Yamaha

Axalta (NYSE: AXTA), a leading global supplier of liquid and powder coatings, has upgraded its support to the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team, to become Official Sponsor for the 2022 MotoGP World Championship season, which started in Qatar at Losail International Circuit on 4 March and runs until 6 November 2022.

Mar 21, 2022 06:13

Axalta Fast Cure Low Energy Technology Helping Bodyshops

The cost of living is increasing but what is hitting homeowners and businesses alike is the soaring cost of energy. In January 2022, the Eurozone saw energy prices increase 28.6%.

Mar 14, 2022 04:59

Boost productivity and profitability with new training video

Cromax® has released a new training video in its Let’s get to work series that demonstrates how its new direct-to-plastic additive - AZ9700 Ultra Performance Plastic Additive - boosts productivity by saving time, material and energy.

Mar 03, 2022 03:53

Axalta lauches tech tips global paint defects video series

Axalta, a leading global supplier of automotive paints and coatings, has launched an ongoing series of refinish training videos designed to help automotive repair bodyshops deal with troublesome, yet common paint defects.

Feb 23, 2022 11:09

Axalta Refinish new electric vehicle repair package helps body

Axalta Refinish has introduced another first to the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) market - a new electric vehicle (EV) repair package, which supports refinishers and bodyshops with the repairs of EV vehicles. Sales of electric cars are accelerating – one in 10 new cars in 2021 has been powered by a battery[i] - and refinishers and bodyshops need to be prepared to handle an increasing volume of EVs safely and efficiently.

Jan 19, 2022 05:58

Color of the Year 2021

Axalta Coating Systems (NYSE: AXTA), a leading global supplier of liquid and powder coatings, announced its Global Automotive Color of the Year 2022 – Royal Magenta.

Jan 17, 2022 05:39

Faster cv repairs with the new Imron Fleet Line DTM Non Sading

The new Imron® Fleet Line DTM Non-Sanding Primer Surfacer P60X for commercial vehicles from Cromax® is specially designed to be applied directly to metal. It eliminates the need for a two-stage build-up, increasing bodyshop productivity and allowing CVs to get back on the road faster.

Jan 14, 2022 05:26

Axalta extends automotive colour leadearship with the 69th global

Axalta (NYSE: AXTA), a leading global supplier of liquid and powder coatings, released its 69th annual Global Automotive Color Popularity Report revealing most cars on today’s roads are white (35%), black (19%) and grey (19%). Grey increased by four percentage points worldwide. The results of Axalta’s Global Automotive Color Popularity Report are tabulated on Axalta’s analysis of 2021 automotive build data in major markets and are an indicator of current market trends.

Jan 14, 2022 04:44

Cromax adds a touch of gold to expo 2022 dubai

Cromax® has provided gold-coloured coatings and its worldwide refinish expertise to a spectacular-looking sculpture, Gyratom, for the Belgian Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, which runs from 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022 due to being postponed due to the pandemic.

Dec 01, 2021 03:48

Cromax launches AZ9700 Ultra Performance Plastic Additive

Cromax® has introduced a new Ultra Performance Plastic Additive - AZ9700. It is designed to improve the effectiveness of the wet-on-wet Ultra Performance Energy Surfacers PS1081, PS1084 and PS1087 and the Ultra Performance Non-Sanding Surfacers NS2081, NS2084 and NS2087. AZ9700 Ultra Performance Plastic Additive offers both the flexibility and excellent adhesion properties required when painting the most common exterior plastic vehicle parts.

Oct 20, 2021 05:26

Axalta Refinish congratulates award-winning bodyshops at the 2021 British Bodyshops Awards

Axalta Refinish congratulates the winners at the British Bodyshop Awards which took place at The InterContinental London - The O2, on Thursday 11 October. Fourteen of Axalta Refinish’s customers were among the winners, with 18 award wins between them.

Aug 02, 2021 11:00

Cromax paints the Agoria Solar Team’s most aerodynamic car yet

BluePoint Atlas, the most aerodynamic solar car designed and built by the Agoria Solar Team, was unveiled today at an event in the Africa Museum, Tervuren, Belgium. It will take part in the first Solar Challenge Morocco, from 23 to 30 October 2021, the replacement event for this year’s cancelled Bridgestone World Solar Challenge due to be held in Australia.

Jul 01, 2021 10:49

Axalta launches Drivus – An essential suite of business services for long-term bodyshop success

Axalta (NYSE: AXTA), a leading global supplier of liquid and powder coatings, today launched a new business partnership concept for the European automotive refinish market under a new brand: Drivus. Designed to focus on the particular challenges faced by bodyshops, Drivus targets productivity, performance and profits to ensure bodyshops build better businesses.

Jun 22, 2021 07:45

Axalta unveils the refinish industry’s first fully automated colour mixing process via Daisy Wheel 3.0

EMEA Bodyshops to increase productivity with significant time and cost saving with fastest, most efficient paint process available. Axalta today announced it will make available pre-filled bottles of basecoat from its industry leading premium refinish brands for Fillon Technologies’ new Daisy Wheel 3.0, enabling fully automated colour mixing for the first time. Combined with Axalta’s cloud-based Digital Colour Management, bodyshops across EMEA will have access to the fastest and most productive paint process available.

May 28, 2021 10:54

Cromax - safe and productive Electric Vehicles repairs

lectric vehicles (EVs) are here to stay. In 2019, Europe secured 60 billion Euros in investments to produce EVs and their batteries – 19 times more than in 2018. In the UK, it is predicted that around 18 million battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid (PHEVs) will be on the road by 2030, when the ban on the sale of new internal combustion vehicles is introduced. By 2040, BEVs and PHEVs may account for as much as 60% of the total car market.

Apr 13, 2021 10:51

Fix Network World names Axalta as Preferred Global Paint Partner

Axalta, a leading global supplier of liquid and powder coatings, has signed a five-year global partnership agreement with Fix Network World, one of the biggest collision repair franchise networks globally. As per the agreement, Axalta is now the Preferred Global Paint Partner to Fix Network World, which has more than 700 collision shops in 2 countries.

Apr 01, 2021 10:41

Axalta and Yamaha Factory Racing MotoGP continue partnership for 2021 season

Axalta (NYSE: AXTA), a leading global supplier of liquid and powder coatings, is named a Premium Team Supplier of Yamaha Factory Racing MotoGP, the 12th consecutive year the two companies have worked together.

Mar 12, 2021 10:32

Cromax meeting tinted clearcoat repair challenges

Cromax®, a global refinish paint brand from Axalta, has released a new Let’s get to work training video focussing on the repair process when using tinted clearcoats. Use of these deep, vivid and intense colours, particularly with reds and highly chromatic blues, has increased dramatically in OEM vehicle production.

Jan 27, 2021 10:25

Axalta renews its agreement with the Agoria Solar Team

Axalta (NYSE: AXTA), a leading global supplier of liquid and powder coatings, recently renewed its contract with the Agoria Solar Team, a team of Belgium engineering students from the Catholic University of Leuven. As part of the two-year Silver Partner agreement, Cromax®, one of Axalta’s premium refinish brands, will be used to paint a specially designed solar car, which will be entered into the 2021 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge.

Jan 26, 2021 10:20

Pure Blue: new Cromax Pro Basecoat tint introduced

In line with the trend of blue being the most popular chromatic colour for vehicles in Europe, Cromax® has extended its Cromax Pro portfolio with the new Cromax Pro Pure Blue WB22 mixing tint.

Jan 12, 2021 09:59

Announcing Axalta’s 2021 Global Automotive Color of the Year: ElectroLight

Axalta (NYSE: AXTA), a leading global supplier of liquid and powder coatings, announced its 2021 Global Automotive Color of the Year – ElectroLight. ElectroLight is an expressively refreshing green-yellow hue with inspired bold, contemporary flavours that echo style, energy and flair. The unique personality of ElectroLight evokes a blend of sporty design elements with functional performance and offers great versatility when combined with two-tone charcoal colour accents or matte finishes on a variety of mobility solutions.

Dec 14, 2020 11:01

Axalta pays homage to its strong motorsport heritage with 2021 wall calendar

Axalta sets pulses of motorsport fans racing with the unveiling of its 2021 wall calendar - Brilliantly Fast - created by the Refinish business in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). It celebrates student racing and is a fitting tribute to those professional motorsports teams that have achieved unparalleled success in 2020.

Dec 14, 2020 09:52

Axalta continues automotive colour leadership with 68th Global Automotive Color Popularity Report

Axalta (NYSE: AXTA), a leading global supplier of liquid and powder coatings, released its 68th annual Global Automotive Color Popularity Report revealing the most common automotive colours on the road today are white (38%), black (19%) and grey (15%). Grey increased by two percentage points worldwide and is at a 10-year high.

Nov 18, 2020 10:50

Cromax working with the AMZ Racing Team from ETH Zürich in 2020

The cooperation between Cromax®, one of the global refinish brands of Axalta a leading global supplier of liquid and powder coatings, and the Academic Motorsports Association of Zurich (AMZ) Racing Team continues for the third year.

Nov 02, 2020 10:43

Axalta’s Cromax brand and Yamaha Factory Racing MotoGP extend partnership

Axalta, a leading global supplier of liquid and powder coatings, has been named as an Official Sponsor to Yamaha Factory Racing MotoGP for the eleventh consecutive year. The agreement renewal sees Cromax®, one of Axalta’s premium refinish brands, supporting the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team with the brand’s highly durable paint systems on the team’s support trucks, mechanics’ toolboxes, workbenches and other pitlane equipment.

Sep 04, 2020 10:30

Real productivity results with Cromax innovations

The most innovative and productive solutions from Cromax, a premium global refinish brand of Axalta, a leading global supplier of liquid and powder coatings, include ChromaConnect and the Ultra Performance Energy System. They have both been developed specifically with its bodyshops in mind.

Aug 24, 2020 10:22

Cromax – keeping on top of the hottest car colour trends

The most popular car colours globally are white, grey and black, according to what car manufacturers are producing. And while most people tend to purchase a car that sports a mainstream colour, there is a small but growing trend for car buyers to opt for highly unusual colours.

Jul 21, 2020 10:53

Axalta at IBISConnect Africa 2020

Axalta (NYSE: AXTA), a leading global provider of liquid and powder coatings, is participating in IBISConnect Africa, a live online simulcast held by the International Bodyshop Industry Symposium (IBIS), on Thursday 23 July 2020 between 10am and 1.30pm SAST.

Jun 09, 2020 10:41

Get back to business with the help of Cromax

As some of the stay-at-home restrictions are cautiously being lifted across Europe, bodyshops are starting to get back to business. With many governments recommending people avoid public transport, the use of private vehicles is on the rise for the foreseeable future, which may mean more business for bodyshops, but during a time of social distancing, this poses a number of challenges.

Mar 18, 2020 11:27

Car repair paint has never been so productive with CC6750 Ultra Performance Energy System Clear from Cromax

The new CC6750 Ultra Performance Energy System Clear is the latest in a line of innovative product launches from Cromax® that helps refinishers increase throughput. It is based on unique and patented resin technology from Axalta, a leading global supplier of liquid and powder coatings.

Mar 09, 2020 11:18

Cromax introduces new ChromaWeb app designed to drive bodyshop productivity

The new ChromaWeb app from Cromax for smartphones and tablets is now available in the AppStore and in Google Play. The ChromaWeb app is free of charge and offers the same functionality as ChromaWeb, the comprehensive cloud-based colour retrieval software from Cromax, but it has some additional features including a barcode reader, which provides a value-added solution for digital colour matching.

Feb 21, 2020 10:10

Cromax unveils new look labels for its refinish paint products

The new ChromaWeb app from Cromax for smartphones and tablets is now available in the AppStore and in Google Play. The ChromaWeb app is free of charge and offers the same functionality as ChromaWeb, the comprehensive cloud-based colour retrieval software from Cromax, but it has some additional features including a barcode reader, which provides a value-added solution for digital colour matching.

Jan 22, 2020 09:54

Cromax appoints new EMEA Training and Technical Service Leade

Thomas Cool has been named the new Cromax® Training and Technical Service Leader for the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region, as of 1 January 2020. Based out of the Cromax Training Centre (CTC) in Mechelen, Belgium, Cool not only sets the training agenda for the CTC, but also is responsible for the internal training and development of the Cromax trainers who are based at national training centres throughout EMEA.

Nov 06, 2019 09:31

Axalta Releases 67th Annual Global Automotive Color Popularity Report

Axalta today released its 67th annual Global Automotive Color Popularity Report, which reveals the top three automotive colours as: white (38%), black (19%), and grey (13%). White has been the top automotive colour worldwide since 2011.

Nov 04, 2019 10:03

Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP teams up with Official Sponsor Cromax for 2020 wall calendar

Cromax® announces the unveiling of its 2020 wall calendar, in collaboration with the world-famous Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP team, for whom the premium refinish brand is an Official Sponsor.

Oct 31, 2019 10:14

Fast repairs for the impatient consumer

Cromax Brand Manager for Europe, Middle East and Africa, Kevin Torfs, explains how to leverage today’s customers and turn impatience into profit

Oct 18, 2019 11:02

Agoria Solar Team becomes World Champion at the 2019 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge with the support of Cromax

The Agoria Solar Team from the University of Leuven, Belgium, has become the World Champions by claiming its first-ever title in the Challenger Class of the biennial Bridgestone World Solar Challenge.

Oct 16, 2019 10:05

Orange is the new black

The colour orange can have a polarising effect – people either love it or hate it. If current trends in fashion, accessories and cars are anything to go by, consumer views on orange are shifting quickly towards the positive end of the spectrum.

Sep 09, 2019 05:23

Cromax launches in South Africa

Cromax®, a premium global refinish brand from Axalta - a leading global supplier of liquid and powder coatings – has launched in South Africa.

Jul 04, 2019 10:47

Cromax continues its sponsorship of the Academic Motorsports Association of Zurich

Cromax® has announced its renewed cooperation with the Swiss Academic Motorsport Association of Zurich (AMZ), after a very successful 2018 season for the team that included a double victory at Hockenheim, Germany, and saw AMZ Racing secure first place on the Formula Student Electric World Ranking.

Jul 04, 2019 10:36

Cromax helps the Agoria Solar Team prepare for the 2019 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge

The Agoria Solar Team unveiled its entry for the 2019 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge at an event in Beringen, Belgium, on 3 July 2019. The car, named BluePoint, was designed and manufactured by students from the University of Leuven, Belgium, and will take part in the gruelling challenge in Australia from the 13 to 20 October 2019.