University of Michigan Solar Car Team, Sponsored by Henkel

The University of Michigan Solar Car Team has named its Silver Sponsor, the Henkel Corporation, as the main partner in the team's future endeavors. The new sponsorship deal pushes the collaboration between the two in its fifth year, as Henkel and the solar car team have been linked ever since 2005.

"We appreciate the technological support we have received from Henkel," Steve Durbin, interim project manager, UM Solar Car said. "It is a great benefit to our team members to utilize products used on vehicles in mass production."

"Henkel is dedicated to supporting the educational community," Chuck Evans, executive vice president, automotive, Henkel added.

"The students of the Michigan Solar Car Team and their exploration of alternative energy sources is representative of the sustainable direction of the automotive industry. We are honored to have supported the University of Michigan in their successful endeavor at the 2009 World Solar Challenge, and congratulate them on their third place finish."

The Henkel Corporation is involved in the automotive industry as a manufacturer of adhesives, sealants and surface treatments for the transportation industry. This year, the group has received the 2009 Automotive News PACE Award for its new conversion coating process, called TecTalis.

As for the University of Michigan Solar Car, it is an entirely student-run organization set on designing, building and racing a solar-powered vehicle in competitions around North America and the world. Henkel is only one of its sponsors, with other big names in the automotive industry, including Ford, GM, Roush and many others chipping in.