Written by: Skye Myers
General Motors (GM) has been a titan in the automotive industry since its founding in 1908. The company has a diverse portfolio with iconic brands like Buick, Chevrolet, Cadillac, and GMC. As one of the world’s largest automakers, GM has a rich history of innovation and leadership in the technology space.
General Motors has consistently pushed the boundaries of vehicle design by pioneering mass production of affordable vehicles to spearhead advancements in electric and autonomous vehicles. The company has a global reach with extensive resources, making GM a natural fit as a sponsor for the Advance Vehicle Technology Competitions (AVTC).
GM’s sponsorship of the EcoCAR EV Challenge series is integral to its success and the development of future automotive talent. For over 15 years, General Motors has donated its state-of-the-art vehicles, technical support & management, as well as other cutting-edge technology to each competing team. GM empowers EcoCAR students to push the envelope of innovation in engineering.
Their involvement in the competition helped create a bridge between academia and the automotive industry, giving students network opportunities and real-world experiences. For the EcoCAR EV Competition that started in 2022 and concludes in 2026, GM donated each university a 2023 All-Battery Electric Cadillac LYRIQ. Being the first electric vehicle in the competition’s history, this serves as a new challenge for the schools, their students, and their advisors.
Embry-Riddle and Bethune-Cookman students are currently in the process of fabricating and integrating their motors and mounts onto subframes and assembling their electrical and thermal systems in their very own LYRIQ. Students have worked hard to learn safety practices around high-voltage wires and batteries and getting their welding and vehicle lift certifications. Students all the way from freshman to graduate students are helping in all areas of the team to make sure the LYRIQ is able to drive and communicate with its sensors and cameras.
We look forward to testing our vehicle and seeing all of our hard work come to fruition at the General Motors Desert Proving Ground in Yuma, AZ at the EcoCAR Year 2 Competition this May.
