DENSO Sponsors EcoCAR Mobility Challenge To Develop Future Workforce And Advance Sustainable Transportation - aftermarketNews

DENSO Sponsors EcoCAR Mobility Challenge To Develop Future Workforce And Advance Sustainable Transportation

EcoCAR is a four-year collegiate engineering competition that aims to be the ultimate training ground for future leaders in the automotive industry.

DENSO announced it is sponsoring the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Vehicle Technology Competition’s EcoCAR Mobility Challenge.

EcoCAR is a four-year collegiate engineering competition that aims to be the ultimate training ground for future leaders in the automotive industry. 

DENSO’s sponsorship, which includes $300,000 in monetary and in-kind donations such as components and mentorship, will benefit 12 university teams as they compete to make 2019 Chevrolet Blazers as energy-efficient as possible, the company said. The student-led teams will do so by developing advanced propulsion systems, electrified technology and SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) Level 2 automation and connected solutions for their vehicles.

This is the second time DENSO has sponsored a full four-year cycle of the Challenge. 

Through its work with EcoCAR, DENSO is able to help develop the automotive workforce of tomorrow, identify top talent who can advance its mission to reshape mobility, and advance its Long-Term Policy 2030, which includes creating innovative solutions that contribute to a greener, more sustainable society, the company noted. 

“To support EcoCAR is to support the future of automotive. And the future, especially as it relates to technology, sustainability and workforce development, is incredibly important to us,” said Jim Harkins, director of Electrified Systems Engineering Division, DENSO. “Transportation is changing rapidly. This event offers the perfect opportunity for students to experience that change first-hand. It’s also a shining example of how industry stakeholders, from automakers to suppliers to aspiring engineers, can tackle complex issues like energy efficiency together.” 

Since university teams come from across the country, EcoCAR also affords DENSO the opportunity to connect with and attract a broadened pool of potential new hires. DENSO has hired four employees who previously were student competitors in the Challenge, according to the company. 

One such employee is Emily Arnold, an application engineer for battery-electric vehicle inverters who started at DENSO’s North American headquarters in Southfield, Michigan, last July. Arnold hails from Northern California and attended Arizona State University. She says EcoCAR prepared her for her current position by helping her appreciate the many roles people take on in the workplace. 

“During EcoCAR, I managed the schematic development for our team, meaning I helped ensure we had organization and continuity across our focus areas,” said Arnold. “That experience helps me every day as I work with customers and internal teams to ensure we hit project deadlines and meet customer requirements.” 

Matthew Bergman, a program coordinator at DENSO who also joined the company last year through EcoCAR, is from New Jersey and attended West Virginia University while competing. He says the challenge was instrumental in helping him land a rewarding job with an employer who catered to his career goals, a top priority at DENSO to provide to its employees. 

“EcoCAR allowed me to explore different roles I might want to pursue in the automotive industry,” said Bergman. “I quickly became passionate about project management, and while that typically isn’t an entry-level role, DENSO recognized that’s where my skills lie and gave me the opportunity to pursue it. I’m glad I get to be part of an environment where your career aspirations are heard and encouraged.”

For more information about the EcoCAR Mobility Challenge, click here. For those interested in learning more about DENSO internships, co-ops and other opportunities for young professionals, go to densocareers.com

You May Also Like

Opposition Grows for California’s Mandate Banning New Gas-Powered Vehicle Sales

SEMA members and industry consumers sent EPA over 5,000 letters in opposition to the ACC II Waiver.

Opposition Grows for California’s Mandate Banning New Gas-Powered Vehicle Sales

SEMA member companies and automotive enthusiasts have come out in strong opposition to the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) “Advanced Clean Cars II” (ACC II) regulation that would ban the sale of new internal combustion engine motor vehicles by 2035.

Specialty aftermarket businesses and industry supporters sent over 5,000 letters to the U.S. EPA expressing opposition to the agency providing California a Clean Air Act waiver, which is required for ACC II to take effect. Industry and enthusiasts alike have united in opposition to California’s Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) mandate that they said would adversely impact automotive businesses, their employees and millions of automotive enthusiasts.

BBB Industries Releases Corporate Sustainability Report

This year, BBB set a goal to decrease its scope 1 and scope 2 emissions by 50 percent before 2027.

BBB Industries Releases Corporate Sustainability Report
DENSO, Manufacture 2030 Partner to Improve Supply Chain Sustainability

DENSO’s targets include reducing the carbon outputs of its global supply chain by 25%, by the 2030 fiscal year.

Denso
Pollak Introduces New Line of Trailer Connectors and Accessories

The new line of trailer connectors, adapters, extensions and accessories has been specifically designed for towing with light-duty and medium-duty trucks and SUVs. 

Pollak Introduces New Line of Trailer Connectors and Accessories
Anchor Adds More Acura and Honda Coverage

The 10 new part numbers cover more than 2,191,530 applications for model years 2016-2024.

Anchor Adds More Acura and Honda Coverage

Other Posts

AAPEX Named One of 50 Fastest-Growing Shows in 2023  

This is the second consecutive year that AAPEX earned a spot in TSE’s Fastest 50 Class.

Vision Conference to Feature Town Hall with MEMA’s Ann Wilson  

The theme of this year’s conference is “The New Aftermarket: Embracing Change to Drive Growth.”

Holley Performance Brands Appoints Two New Vice Presidents

Charlie Taylor and Will Robbins collectively represent nearly 50 years of automotive industry experience.

Holley Performance Brands Appoints Two New Vice Presidents
HDA Truck Pride Member Southside Trailer Service Expands

The company acquired PBS Brake & Supply in Syracuse, NY.

HDA Truck Pride Member Southside Trailer Service Expands