Students Compete to Design 2040 Dream Car and Win Ram Truck Internship

Stellantis is inviting high school students to help change the future by designing what they see as their dream car for 2040. The 12th annual Drive for Design contest gives students an opportunity to express their creativity and pursue a future in automotive design at the same time. Students are asked to create the 2024 vehicle for any of the Stellantis brands including Ram, Dodge, Fiat Jeep or Chrysler. Previous contests have invited students to create future Ram EV trucks and Chrysler EVs. What is amazing about this year’s contest is that the winner will be awarded an internship in Ram Truck design studio. It is a fascinating opportunity to experience the inner workings of the automotive industry.

“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 Mark Trostle, vice president, Ram Truck and Mopar design. “Many of the past winners have gone on to have successful careers here, as well as at other companies and that is what’s rewarding not only to me, but our entire design team, and it drives us to continue on each year.”

Contest for Future Designers, Created by a Designer

Mark Trostle is the person who champions the Drive for Design contest. He won a similar competition as a high schooler in 1987. Since bringing back the contest in 2012, it has highlighted the path to a career in automotive design. The competition illustrates the many creative opportunities available within the automotive industry. Drive for Design is open to all high school students nationwide.

Prizes Encourage Future Creativity

While the top prize is the summer designer internship in the Ram Truck Exterior Design Studio, the other prizes are designed to encourage future creativity in the design field.

• The grand prize winner will also receive a Wacom MobileStudio Pro 16 tablet.
• Second and third prize winners will receive an Apple iPad Pro and Apple Pencil.
• Winners will also receive a virtual portfolio review with members of the Stellantis design team and a scholarship to College for Creative Studies’ four-week summer program.
• All three winners will also be invited to be a student judge at this summer’s prestigious car show, EyesOn Design at Ford House, in Grosse Pointe, Michigan.

All student-created entries must be submitted by Friday, April 12, 2024. One grand prize winner and two additional finalists will be selected from all valid entries received.

Students, teachers and parents can follow the contest on the Stellantis North America social media channels. Weekly contest updates and content will be posted every Tuesday with the hashtag #DriveForDesign.

Designing a Career Path

Some of the previous winners have gone on to work in automotive design including:

• 2016 winner: Ben Treinen (Loveland, Ohio), Ram Truck Interior Design Studio employee
• 2015 winner: Dongwon Kim (Cupertino, California), Advanced Design Studio employee
• 2023 winner: Rocco Morales (Northville, Michigan), First high school student intern

For contest rules and  information on how to submit sketches and free resources for students of all ages, visit StellantisDriveForDesign.com.

Stellantis Photo

Mary Conway is a professional automotive journalist and has decades of experience specializing in automotive news analysis. She covered the Detroit Three for more than twenty years for the ABC affiliate, in Detroit. Her affection for the Motor City comes naturally. Her father ran a gas station while Mary was growing up, in Wisconsin.

Follow Mary Conway at @MaryConwayMedia and send her car news tips for future stories.