Stellantis Challenges High School Students to Design Their Dream Vehicle

Stellantis North America is revving up excitement among high school students with the launch of its 12th Annual Drive for Design contest. This unique competition, which begins today, invites budding young designers to envision their dream vehicle for the year 2040, drawing inspiration from Stellantis’ diverse portfolio of North American or global brands.

The brainchild behind Drive for Design is Mark Trostle, Vice President of Ram Truck and Mopar Design at Stellantis. Trostle himself clinched victory in a similar contest back in 1987 during his high school days. Since its revival in 2012, Drive for Design has not only nurtured creative talent but also shed light on the plethora of opportunities within the automotive design realm.

“We host this contest because we want to inspire young creative talent and also enlighten parents about the many opportunities available within automotive design,” said Trostle.

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The coveted grand prize for this year’s contest is an exclusive summer internship opportunity in the Ram Truck design studio. Additionally, the grand prize winner will receive a state-of-the-art Wacom MobileStudio Pro 16 tablet and have their winning sketch featured on Stellantis North America’s social media platforms. Runner-ups won’t be left empty-handed either, with prizes including an Apple iPad Pro, a virtual portfolio review with Stellantis design team members, and scholarships to the College for Creative Studies’ summer program.

Entries for the Drive for Design contest must be submitted by Friday, April 12, 2024. Winners will be selected from valid entries received, with one grand prize winner and two additional finalists announced. Students, teachers, and parents can track the contest’s progress on Stellantis North America’s social media channels, with weekly updates and content shared using the hashtag #DriveForDesign.

Drive for Design has a history of grooming future design stars. Notable past winners include Ben Treinen, who now works in the Ram Truck Interior Design Studio, and Dongwon Kim, an employee at the Advanced Design Studio. The contest has also provided opportunities for high school students like Rocco Morales, who became the first-ever intern straight from high school in 2023.

For detailed contest rules, submission guidelines, and free resources for aspiring designers, interested participants can visit StellantisDriveForDesign.com.