# Floating Autos Spira Foam Car to be Automotive X PRIZE Winner? By Michael Plishka | Published 2009-05-16 | Autos Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/innovative-floating-autos-spiras-foam-car References: [fastcompany](http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/ariel-schwartz/sustainability/spira-foam-car-most-creative-automotive-x-prize-entry) When we think of materials for a car, seldom do we think of using foam. That is precisely what Spira is using to make their [Automotive X PRIZE](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vision-xcompact) entry. Made of 90% foam, the car gets 100 mpg and reaches speeds of 70mph. [It also floats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aluminum-tubes). Limited production will begin in Thailand sometime soon so this won’t help the American car industry - if it could. I personally am a little concerned about the safety of this car and handling in higher winds. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.3/10 - Popularity: 19% | Activity: 12% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Autos](https://www.trendhunter.com/autos) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Foam Cars:** Foam cars are a new trend that may disrupt the traditional car industry by offering a cheaper and lighter alternative. - **Fuel Efficiency:** Increasing fuel efficiency, as demonstrated by Spira's foam car, is an important trend for the automotive industry as fuel becomes scarcer and more expensive. - **Alternative Materials:** The use of foam, as opposed to traditional materials, could be a trend in auto manufacturing because it offers an affordable and eco-friendly option. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Automotive Industry:** The automotive industry can take advantage of the trend towards foam cars and alternative materials to create more sustainable and affordable vehicles. - **Eco-friendly Industry:** The use of foam and other alternative materials in the auto industry could lead to the development of a new eco-friendly industry focusing on sustainable manufacturing and low-cost materials. - **Emerging Markets:** The use of alternative materials like foam for cars can be a trend for emerging markets , as it offers a cheaper option compared to traditional car manufacturing materials that can positively impact transportation projects. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Recycled Material Vehicle Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/akxy2-vehicle.md) - [Omni-Fuel Vehicle Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/andrietta-concept-car.md) - [Water-Ready Sports Car Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/citron-above-and-under.md) - [Rugged Fully-Electric SUV Models](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/2024-yangwang-u8-suv.md) - [Luxury Electric Hovercrafts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/arosa-hovercraft.md) - [Tadpole-Shaped Three-Wheelers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/threewheeled-cars.md) - [Range-Roving Electric Hydrofoils](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/electric-hydrofoil.md) - [Hydrofoiling Electric Boats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hydrofoiling-electric-boats.md) - [Autonomous Amphibious Vehicle Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crosser-v1.md)