By SEMA News Editors
FIA Sustainable Innovation Series Launches 2026 Global Program in Montréal
The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), the global governing body for motorsports and the federation for mobility organizations worldwide, hosted its Sustainable Innovation Series (SIS) in Montreal, kicking off the 2026 edition ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix.
Leaders from motorsports, technology, government and academia gathered to discuss one of the defining challenges of our time: How do we build transport systems that are safer, cleaner and smarter for everyone?
Supported by the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA), the event brought the Series to life under the theme "Track-to-City: Sustainable Innovation in Motorsports and Mobility," focusing on the technologies and partnerships that deliver practical change.
Motorsports has long been a proving ground for road innovation, from ABS brakes to advanced tire technology. Today, that same transfer is helping accelerate sustainable fuels, electric vehicle batteries, hydrogen performance and data-led transport systems that can improve safety, reduce emissions and ease congestion.
Willem Groenewald, FIA secretary general for Mobility, Sustainability and Tourism, said: "Motor sport has always been a proving ground for the precision thinking and technological ambition the world needs today. Through the Sustainable Innovation Series, we are making that connection explicit and actionable. The tools that make racing safer and more efficient can also save lives on public roads and cut emissions in our cities. The FIA was proud to launch this year's Series in Montreal."
Tim Shearman, CAA president and FIA deputy president for Mobility, said: "Montreal is an ideal place to launch the 2026 FIA Sustainable Innovation Series, bringing together a strong mobility and innovation ecosystem alongside an iconic motor sport event. Road safety, congestion, climate resilience and reliable transport affect people every day, and the discussions showed how data, AI and innovation can move beyond the track to deliver real-world benefits."
The Montreal program featured keynote addresses, expert panels and strategic exchanges on predictive mobility systems, AI-driven road safety and data governance. Speakers included representatives from the FIA, Formula 1, Transport Canada, Google and official FIA partners Siemens and Tomorrow.io.
The Sustainable Innovation Series will next convene at the FIA World Endurance Championship 24 Hours of Le Mans in France, taking the discussion into new regions, industries and communities of practice.
Universal Technical Institute, Inc. Joins S&P SmallCap 600 Index
Good news for the industry: Universal Technical Institute, Inc., one of the primary feeder schools for motorsports technicians, has announced it has joined the S&P SmallCap 600 Index, effective prior to the opening of trading on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. The S&P SmallCap 600 Index seeks to measure the small-cap segment of the U.S. equity market, and signals stronger credibility and financial performance for the company.
"Our inclusion in the S&P SmallCap 600 Index represents a significant achievement for our company, students, and shareholders and reflects the successful execution of our North Star strategy to date," said Jerome Grant, CEO of Universal Technical Institute, Inc. "As the significant demand for skilled-collar and healthcare professionals is accelerated by AI-driven investments reshaping the economy, we believe UTI is uniquely positioned to continue to train the workforce of the future. We are pleased to see the progress in our business model recognized by the broader investment community."
Universal Technical Institute's North Star strategy is a multi-year initiative to address America's skilled labor shortage. The company's industry-aligned training programs are offered at two divisions: Universal Technical Institute (UTI), which focuses on transportation, skilled trades, electrical and energy education; and Concorde Career Colleges, which specializes in health professions.
Now in Phase II, the North Star strategy's core tenets of growth, diversification and optimization include opening multiple campuses annually between 2026 and 2029; launching 10-20 new programs annually at existing campus locations; and enhancing its operations to make the most efficient use of resources, according to UTI.
In March, the company opened UTI-San Antonio, its first-ever campus focused exclusively on skilled trades programs, with offerings in welding and an electrical training suite of robotics, industrial maintenance and electrical/electronics, among other focuses.
Later this summer, the company will open UTI-Atlanta, its first campus in Georgia that will offer multiple training programs supported by advanced classrooms and specialized labs for automotive, diesel, aviation, electrical, robotics and automation, plus HVACR and welding.
In addition, the company has also announced plans for a new UTI campus in Salt Lake City. All campuses are subject to regulatory approvals.
For more information, visit uti.edu.
