At the annual American Solar Car Challenge this summer, the University of Michigan became the five-year reigning champ with Quantum, a 320-pound car powered by the sun. The aerodynamic vehicle featured solar cells, a light-weight carbon fiber body and low-rolling resistance tires. But at least some of the credit should also go to Avery Dennison Corp. The car was covered in the Glendale company’s MPI 1005 Supercast, a vinyl film with digital graphics that most of us better know from buses wrapped in giant advertisements that aren’t exactly trying to minimize every bit of wind resistance. But the plastic film is so easy to apply and conforms so closely to the underlying surface that the race team felt comfortable wrapping the vehicle. “Maintaining the low drag profile as well as the small mass is important for race success,” said Pavan Naik, project manager for the university’s solar car team. “We’re able to maintain the super aerodynamic body while keeping Quantum looking flashy.” Of course, wrapped up solar race cars are not a big business for the Glendale label-maker, but it is good publicity, and the wrap is being used more and more on fleet vehicles, such as those driven by Coca Cola Co. bottlers. Avery Dennison’s Randy Schuette, strategic account manager of Graphics Solutions for the West Coast, said the technology also is gaining traction with individuals. “If you want to switch up the design or color to make your car unique, you don’t have to paint it,” Schuette said. “If you have a lease, for example, you can just get this removed when that’s up and your car will still be in pristine condition.” The wrap is manufactured at Avery Dennison’s Graphic Solutions unit in Mentor, Ohio. The company does not break out sales for the unit. Dean Soleimani at Sticker City in Sherman Oaks said his graphics shop wraps about 25 vehicles per week and he uses Avery Dennison for about 80 percent. The wrap is a premium product and costs $3,000 to $5,000 but that is still far less than a high-gloss paint job. Soleimani also uses wraps from 3M Co. in St. Paul, Minn., which is Avery Dennison’s largest competitor in the market. “I’d rather pay a little more and get either of these brands, which are both really good, so I don’t have customers calling in saying the wraps were peeling or bubbling up,” he said. – Stephanie Forshee