Axalta Coating Systems’ custom waterborne, Beyond Bronze paint on a Ford F-350 truck that was customized with recycled and eco-sensitive materials by the EcoTrek Foundation received favorable attention. It caught the eyes of attendees and judges at last week’s Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) tradeshow in Las Vegas, NV. EcoTrek won Ford’s Outstanding Achievement in Design Award for its stylish customization and eco-friendliness.
EcoTrek’s winning truck, known as an eco-expedition vehicle, is the brainchild of EcoTrek Foundation Executive Director, Tom Holm, and is a collaborative effort, with Ford sponsoring the vehicle, the U.S. Navy developing algae-based bio diesel fuel that powers the truck, and Axalta donating the paint that was applied by students studying collision repair and vehicle refinishing at Los Angeles Trade-Technical College (LA Trade-Tech).
Axalta and EcoTrek are both pleased with the collaboration and, especially, the chance to give students an opportunity to prepare for careers in the industry. “EcoTrek is about educational outreach. We’re fortunate that we’re able to take that a step further where we become educators in the classroom environment. Through Axalta, we’ve been able to take our vehicle to LA Trade-Tech for students to paint the truck with this amazing water-based color, utilizing Axalta’s expertise,” states Tom Holm.
EcoTrek is a non-profit organization that conducts research and educational programs to advance the use of renewable fuels and materials.
The SEMA tradeshow is the premier automotive specialty products trade event in the world. It provides attendees with educational seminars, product demonstrations, special events, networking opportunities and more.