Abstract Vehicle component design is crucial for developing a vehicle prototype, as optimum parts can lead to cost reduction and performance enhancement of the vehicle system. The use of metaheuristics for vehicle component optimization has been commonplace due to several advantages: robustness and simplicity. This paper aims to demonstrate the shape design of a vehicle bracket by using a newly invented metaheuristic. The new optimizer is termed the ecogeography-based optimization algorithm (EBO). This is arguably the first vehicle design application of the new optimizer. The optimization problem is posed while EBO is implemented to solve the problem. It is found that the design results obtained from EBO are better when compared to other optimizers such as the equilibrium optimization algorithm, marine predators algorithm, slime mold algorithm.