A Mitsubishi Motors music competition for Australian independent artists and bands has had more than 295 songs uploaded in the past three weeks.

The music initiative, Accelerate is an opportunity for independent artists and bands to write a song or music track that could become the Mitsubishi Motors anthem.

In return, the major prize-winning artist or band will win $10,000 plus a recording session so they can further develop or record a project of their choice.

Darrel Jacobs, head of marketing communications at Mitsubishi Motors said: “The brief is to create a piece of music that can express how people feel when they drive their cars. From that new car smell to driving on your own and singing your lungs out, nights out on the town with your mates, to family road trips, surfing getaways, and off road adventures.”

“The opportunity for independent musicians is to connect the way we live our lives with the vehicle that transports us, through the best way they know how, making great foot tapping music. At Mitsubishi Motors, we believe all of this is contained in the ‘Love That Car’ tagline, however we want them to express it musically,” Jacobs added.

There is a selection of musical celebrity ambassadors that will ultimately help choose the winners. In the first week, Triple J’s unearthed winner Asta, gave out a $1000 encouragement prize to her pick; This Sanctuary’s track Keep Talking Please.

Artists have engaged their own fan communities and have attracted thousands of votes for the people’s choice winner. Fans also get the chance to win a $250 Ticketek voucher every week, just for voting.

“With Kicktone’s help as well as APRA and music sites like The Music Network and The Push, the take-up has been fantastic. Listen to the tracks and you’ll find the independent music scene is alive and kicking. And there’s still almost a week to go. Entries don’t close until October 12,” said Jim Robinson, Jamshop creative director.