Management students lend talents to GM hybrid competition: EcoCAR 2
Senior marketing and management major Andrew Enajero and junior management major Ashley Davis are steering business decisions for Wayne State University’s Hybrid Warriors in the EcoCAR 2 competition. The business co-managers are applying the skills they have learned in the classroom to the real world.
WSU is one of 15 universities the U.S. Department of Energy and General Motors selected to participate in the EcoCAR 2 competition. More than 400 universities applied to compete in the three-year program that gives engineering students the opportunity to design and build cars that meet vehicle standards of the future. In the first year of the competition, the Hybrid Warriors designed the vehicle. During stage two, the team is building the technology using a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu.
“Students are producing or doing research on hybrid technology that focuses on reducing environmental impact and reducing fuel consumption for the consumer. This saves the consumer money on daily travel and reduces pollution,” Enajero said.
Davis and Enajero (pictured second and third from left) began their roles as co-managers in October 2012. Their tasks range from sponsorship and fundraising to project management and risk analysis.
Davis oversees the budget and sponsorship. EcoCAR 2 sponsors include General Motors, the U.S. Department of Energy, Argonne National Laboratory, General Dynamics, IAV Automotive Engineering Inc., Delphi and NextEnergy.
Davis is a first-time manager and thinks the experience has allowed her to take on more responsibilities.
“I feel more inclined to take initiative; in the beginning I was just asking for tasks,” Davis said.
Enajero’s main tasks include project management and risk analysis.
“If an engineer did not receive a part in time, it is my job to determine to what extent this would delay our project,” Enajero said. “It’s about getting a picture of the project timeline, so we can stay on track and build in a timely matter.”
Enajero said what he likes most about EcoCAR is experiencing what he can expect in the field after he graduates.
“I am gaining more perspective on the day-to-day tasks in the fields of project management, marketing and engineering through EcoCAR,” Enajero said.
Enajero and Davis plan on continuing in the automotive field upon graduation.
“This experience is unparalleled,” Davis said. “You are not going to get this experience at the average internship.”
