Stellantis “Drive for Design” Winners Announced

Stellantis has announced the winners of its 11th annual Drive for Design competition, aimed at young designers in grades 10-12. The contest challenged participants to sketch the next-generation Ram EV truck, and the three finalists showcased some incredibly innovative designs.

Rocco Morales, a 12th grader from Northville, Michigan, emerged as the grand-prize winner for the second consecutive year. Morales’ design for the Ram Stadion was highly praised by the judges for its unique features, which include a deployable canopy and stadium seating that can transform a fully capable off-road machine into a relaxing space. Morales will receive a summer design internship at the Ram Truck Exterior Design Studio, along with a Wacom MobileStudio Pro 16 tablet.

Rocco Morales’ 1st Place Design

Rohan Seiber, a 10th grader from Portola Valley, California, and Benjamin Miller, an 11th grader from Birmingham, Michigan, were the second and third runners-up, respectively. Seiber’s Ram Rex truck has been described as the ultimate go-anywhere, do-anything full-size electric pickup truck, with a configurable bed platform, unique exterior lighting, and an external rail system. Miller’s Ram Ultima features a modular design that allows the owner to add more power and traction as needed.

Rohan Seiber’s 2nd Place Design

The top three finishers in the contest were awarded prizes, including Apple iPad Pros and Apple Pencils, a Virtual Day of Design portfolio review with members of the Stellantis Design Team, and a scholarship to College for Creative Studies’ four-week summer program.

Benjamin Miller’s 3rd Place Design

The Drive for Design competition has been gaining popularity every year, and the judges were impressed by the quality and creativity of this year’s submissions. According to Mark Trostle, head of Ram Truck and Mopar Exterior Design for Stellantis, “Every year, I am blown away by the creativity and enthusiasm of these students. It’s really difficult to choose a winner because each design is so unique and thoughtful. Our whole team is excited to work with these students, and I’m already looking forward to next year’s contest.”

The Stellantis Drive for Design competition is an excellent opportunity for young designers to showcase their talents and gain valuable experience in the automotive industry. The competition has produced some talented designers in the past, and the future of automotive design looks bright with the emergence of designers like Rocco Morales, Rohan Seiber, and Benjamin Miller. To view the top submissions in this year’s contest, visit www.StellantisDriveForDesign.com.