As the North American International Auto Show kicks off in Detroit, we asked some College of Engineering students with automotive expertise for their thoughts on the show and the future of the industry.
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Idan Regev, EcoCAR 2
MS in alternative energy technology, 2013
What are you most looking forward to seeing at the Detroit Auto Show this year? New hybrid vehicles, that's what I do at work and school. I'm always interested in seeing new things in that area. I'm very interested in the Cadillac ELR coupe, Nissan Resonance, VW CrossBlue, Lexus IS hybrid and more.
What excites you most about the future of the automotive industry?
New hybrid technologies, batteries and fuel cells, composite structures and auto-driver.
What do you hope to do with your engineering degree?
Change the world of transportation.
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Mengjia Cao, EcoCAR 2
MS in electric-drive vehicle engineering, 2013
What are you most looking forward to seeing at the Detroit Auto Show this year? New electric vehicle and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle models; I major in electric-drive vehicle engineering!
What excites you most about the future of the automotive industry? The revolution from gasoline to electricity.
What do you hope to do with your engineering degree? To work as an electric vehicle and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle engineer in an automotive company.
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Adam Niner, American Society of Mechanical Engineering student chapter
BS in mechanical engineering, 2013
What are you most looking forward to seeing at the Detroit Auto Show this year? I'm looking forward to seeing the various concept cars revealed at this year's show. I enjoy seeing the raw innovation and designs that engineering teams put together.
What excites you most about the future of the automotive industry? I'm excited about the overall growth and success as the industry opens up more job opportunities for future graduates.
What do you hope to do with your engineering degree? I'm hoping to use my degree to obtain a job I'm satisfied with and one where I can work on energy saving projects.
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Love Lor, EcoCAR 2
MS in electrical engineering, May 2013
What are you most looking forward to seeing at the Detroit Auto Show this year? The last time that I attended an Auto Show, two years ago, I wasn't a part of EcoCAR 2 yet so my understanding of the specs and performance of any vehicle was very limited. I am excited to be able to admire the overall design of a vehicle instead of just its exterior body.
What excites you most about the future of the automotive industry? I lived in Detroit when the US automotive industry was at its lowest, and I am still in Detroit now that the US automotive industry is back on its feet again. I am very excited to be a part of and contribute to its success.
What do you hope to do with your engineering degree from Wayne State? My path to obtain my engineering degree has been the most beneficial. I have developed time-management, organization and managerial skills, perseverance and discipline along with technical knowledge by attending Wayne State University and being a part of its EcoCAR 2 program. I hope to use these skills that come with my degree to start an exciting career as an automotive engineer.
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Ali Salam Alkenane, Formula SAE and American Society of Mechanical Engineering student chapter
BS in mechanical engineering, 2014
What are you most looking forward to seeing at the Detroit Auto Show this year? I'm looking forward to seeing new designs because I like to see new ideas and features implemented.
What excites you most about the future of the automotive industry? What excites me the most is the idea of finding a better way to run vehicles than using gasoline and batteries.
What do you hope to do with your engineering degree? I would like to work as a consultant for a company such as Accenture.
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Christopher Baltes, Formula SAE
BS in mechanical engineering, 2018
What are you most looking forward to seeing at the Detroit Auto Show this year? I'm looking forward to seeing the concept cars, enjoying the experience and excited environment with friends, seeing how current models of cars have improved, and how the car companies plan on improving their current models.
What excites you most about the future of the automotive industry? How advancements in technology will make vehicles more efficient, environmentally friendly, and advanced in ways that will allow them to accomplish tasks other than getting the driver from point A to point B. Also, I hope the automotive industry can produce vehicles with more aerodynamic and eye-popping designs.
What do you hope to do with your engineering degree? Help make advancements in the automotive industry. Design my own brand of a sport car and sport bike.
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Luke Popiel, Engineering Society of Detroit Student Chapter, CEO, IEEE
BS in electrical engineering, 2013
What are you most looking forward to seeing at the Detroit Auto Show this year? I am looking forward to see the redesigned vehicles that the Big 3 have to offer and how their competition differs. I love the new and redesigned Chevrolet Corvette and Cadillac ELR.
What excites you most about the future of the automotive industry? The most exciting part about the future of the automotive is to see how the industry has changed over the last few years. I never actually thought about being part of the automotive industry, but when I saw the progress that GM has made and where it is heading, I get really excited about it.
What do you hope to do with your engineering degree from Wayne State?
My degree from Wayne State is leading me to becoming a data engineer at General Motors.
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John Whittaker, EcoCAR 2
BS in Nutrition and Food Science
What are you most looking forward to seeing at the Detroit Auto Show this year? Seeing more clean technology vehicles, specifically the 2013 Prius and 2013 Ford Focus EV models. I am amused by the small things in these cars, including the solar roof on the Prius and recyclable components of the Focus. What excites you most about the future of the automotive industry? I can appreciate the vision of the internal combustion engine and all it has done for our society in the past century, yet I am excited to see a new generation of environmentally safe vehicles. I believe these will improve our air quality, water quality, and even soil quality for farmland around the world.
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