Stellantis Launches New Design Contest for Schoolchildren
The Stellantis automotive group is once again holding its annual Drive for Design contest in the USA. This time, even the youngest students have the opportunity to participate — starting from kindergarten up to the twelfth grade. The organizers emphasize that works created using artificial intelligence are not allowed to participate.
A New Creative Challenge for Future Designers
If last year’s task was focused on creating the image of a future Chrysler, in 2026 the scope has been significantly expanded. Participants are invited to imagine the next generation of high-performance SRT models for the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram brands. This opens up a wide space for imagination and creativity.
The main contest is still intended for high school students (grades 10-12). But the new feature this year is the Drive for Design Junior category for younger students, which is divided into three age groups: from kindergarten to 3rd grade, from 4th to 6th grade, and from 7th to 9th grade.
“Designing an SRT vehicle means revealing a fearless worldview and dreaming up performance ideas that look fast even at a standstill. We can’t wait to see how students of any age push the boundaries and reimagine what fast, powerful, and incredibly cool can look like for the next generation,” said Mark Trostle, Vice President of Exterior Design for Ram Truck, Mopar, and SRT.
Participation Conditions and Prizes
All participants, regardless of age, must adhere to a single design task and submission rules. Works are accepted in .pdf or .jpg formats, size no larger than 11×17 inches. A winner will be determined in each of the three junior categories, as well as a grand prize winner and two finalists in the main contest.
The grand prize is a summer internship at the Ram and SRT design studio, as well as an Apple iPad Pro tablet and an Apple Pencil stylus. This is a great opportunity for young talents to gain practical experience in the world of automotive design.
Context and Significance of the Initiative
This contest is taking place at an interesting strategic moment for Stellantis. The group is ramping up production of traditional internal combustion engines, including the famous Hemi V8, in North America. Inviting children and teenagers into the creative process can not only bring fresh ideas for future performance models but also help cultivate a loyal audience for years to come. Such initiatives demonstrate a long-term approach to brand development and investment in a new generation of engineers and designers. The condition prohibiting AI-generated images underscores the value of original human creativity and craftsmanship, which is especially important in an era of rapid technological development.