Stellantis Launches 2026 Drive for Design Junior Contest to Inspire Young Car Designers

Stellantis, a leader in automotive design, is extending its commitment to fostering creative talent with the introduction of the 2026 Drive for Design Junior contest. This new initiative invites students from kindergarten to ninth grade to explore their artistic potential in automotive design.

The junior competition complements the existing Drive for Design contest, which targets high school students in grades 10 through 12. Together, these programs aim to inspire creativity and innovation among young artists with a passion for cars.

The Drive for Design Junior is structured into three age-specific categories:

• Kindergarten to third grade
• Fourth to sixth grade
• Seventh to ninth grade

The 2026 contest theme, “Design the Future of Fast,” challenges participants to reimagine the future of Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram vehicles. Students are encouraged to unleash their imagination and present bold, performance-driven designs that capture the essence of speed and power.

“Designing an SRT vehicle means unleashing a fearless mindset and dreaming up performance-driven ideas that look fast even when they’re standing still.”

Trostle, a former winner of the Drive for Design competition, emphasized the importance of encouraging young designers to push boundaries and redefine what “fast, powerful, and downright awesome” means for the next generation.

The judging panel will select one grand-prize winner from each age group, along with two additional finalists from the valid entries. Contest rules, submission guidelines, prize details, and free educational resources are available at StellantisDriveForDesign.com.

All entries must be submitted by noon EDT on Thursday, April 23, 2026.

Students, teachers, and parents can stay updated on the contest through Stellantis North America’s Facebook and Instagram channels using the hashtag #DriveForDesign.