Electrifying the Next Generation of
Automotive Leaders in the Communities We Call Home
Perficient has a strong commitment to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives. We believe it is critical to provide students with academic and skill-building opportunities so they can help combat climate change and pave the way for a healthier future.
While every industry plays a role in the global mission to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, the automotive industry is front and center because of its direct impact on consumers and potential for change.
The next generation of automotive leaders will accelerate the energy transition, which is why we are proud to partner with Formula SAE teams from leading universities that are engineering the future of vehicles in many of the communities where we live and work.
Every day, we are helping our clients transform the automotive and mobility industry. Investing in our future is just one more way we can support ongoing innovation and stay ahead of the curve. The research, learnings, and growth these Formula SAE teams achieve are critical to driving our future forward.
- Joel Stanesa, General Manager, Detroit
We are excited to share our automotive insights and expertise with students and see how each program achieves its goals throughout the year. As part of our partnership, we provide students opportunities to learn how companies like Perficient are helping transform the automotive and mobility industries through technology and innovation.
Every year, the Washington University student-run Formula SAE team travels to Michigan International Speedway with its Formula-style race car to compete against more than 100 other teams from around the world and to be judged by industry professionals.
The Northwestern University team emphasizes inclusion through education, bringing together undergraduate and graduate students from all backgrounds for the unique opportunity to learn from and mentor each other in the spirit of Formula car building and racing. The team began creating its first-ever electric vehicle in 2022.
The University of Minnesota team designs and builds Formula-style race cars to compete in the global Formula SAE series. The team’s mission is to create combustion and electric open-cockpit open-wheel vehicles that are competitive both on the track and in the market with a robust business plan.
After years of building and competing with gas-powered vehicles, UC Riverside’s Formula SAE team is competing in 2023 with its first-ever EV as a model for its cars going forward. Confident that it has streamlined its design and manufacturing process for top performance, the team believes it will reveal the most reliable and innovative EV in the competition.
Texas A&M’s SAE team hosts a Formula program for students to design and test cars to race against global competitors. The program emphasizes opportunities for students to build skills, learn from experts, and advance their engineering careers. In 2021, the university announced that it had formed an EV-only competition team.
Colorado State University’s Formula SAE team emphasizes community and balance to create an efficient and well-rounded group of student engineers. The student team has been building and racing increasingly powerful EVs since 2015.
Founded in 1986, Michigan’s Formula SAE team has spent more than 35 years utilizing top talent from its undergraduate and graduate programs to consistently place high in competitions. MRacing is one of the top-ranked programs in the world.
The Ohio State University engages students in the engineering, business, and science departments to design, build, and race their own cars on the national and international level with the goal of implementing the latest techniques and advancements in Formula car engineering.
Check Out Our Podcast
In this episode of Perficient's What If? So What? podcast, Jim Hertzfeld interviews Luca Ranzani, team captain of MRacing at the University of Michigan. In their discussion, Luca explains how he applies what he's learned in the classroom to his work in real-life automotive innovation and EV engineering.
Accelerate Your Strategy With Our Strategic Positions
Consumers Expect More From Automakers and Dealers
We surveyed more than 1,000 vehicle owners to learn about their preferences and experiences when purchasing a new vehicle, focusing on the differences between electric vehicle (EV) owners and those who drive gas-powered vehicles – also known as internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles – or hybrids. The results indicate that non-EV owners are more dissatisfied and expect more from automotive dealers and manufacturers.
Tap Into Our Automotive Industry Expertise
OEMs, suppliers, and dealers count on our strategy and technology solutions to impress owners and passengers. Learn how you can partner with us as you move the needle on the global initiative to reduce emissions.