The University of Michigan's solar car, Quantum, is wrapped with Avery Dennison's popular vehicle wrap films for the 2012 American Solar Car Challenge. The Challenge begins on July 14 and the contestants travel through 8 states in 8 days. The University of Michigan has built eleven custom solar-electric vehicles and won six national Championships, establishing itself as America's number one team.

This year, Quantum is lighter than its competitors’ cars that use paint instead of vehicle wraps. Traditional paint weighs about 9 pounds while the Avery Dennison MPI 1005 Supercast Easy Apply RS and DOL 1360 wrap materials weigh between 8 ounces and 1 pound. The reduced weight gives the University of Michigan solar team a distinct advantage as Quantummakes its way through the 8-state, 1,650-mile course.

“The wrap is an important improvement to the car. We eliminated a significant amount of weight with the wrap. The vinyl conforms very well to the compound curves of Quantum’s body and looks just like paint,” said Cole Witte engineering director for University of Michigan solar car. “We focused on streamlining Quantum over the last two years and shaved off 200 pounds compared to our previous car”

Avery Dennison MPI 1005 Supercast Easy Apply RS, a digitally printable pressure-sensitive vinyl that is repositionable and slideable, makes application easy. In addition it features air egress technology, allowing air bubbles to escape during the installation process. TKO Graphix, a graphics services provider based in Indianapolis, IN that has worked with the University of Michigan Solar Car team for several years, wrapped Quantum and several team vehicles in the Avery Dennison digitally printable, pressure sensitive material.

“Avery Dennison graphics films create a great look and serve as an innovative way to reduce weight for the team to succeed in the race as well as showcase Quantum’s sponsors,” said Kathleen Hall, vice president and general manager, Avery Dennison Graphics and Reflective Solutions, Americas. “The opportunity to support America’s most successful solar car team and the engineering, innovation and dedication of the student-led University of Michigan group is an honor.”

Vinyl wraps aren’t limited to solar cars, they can be installed on vehicles, boats, ATVs, motorcycles, and RVs – the options are almost endless. Not only is a wrap lighter than paint, in many cases, wrapping a car is more affordable than a custom paint job and can be installed faster. Consumers can visit www.CarWraps.net to learn about getting a vehicle wrap.

For more information on Avery Dennison products, pricing or roll sizes, designers and printers can visit www.averygraphics.com to locate a distributor (on the Partner Page) or contact Avery Dennison at 800-282-8379 for additional product information.