Car Design Dialogues: Europe
Through a series of presentations, case studies and panel discussions, senior design figures will explore the issues shaping the next chapter of automotive design. Topics include the emergence of a new wave of design leadership, the future of European vehicle typologies, evolving CMF strategies, next-generation truck interiors, the role of design in successful vehicle launches and what comes after the touchscreen.
The programme also examines one of the most significant shifts in the industry today: the arrival of a new generation of European design studios established by Chinese manufacturers. As talent, influence and investment flow across borders, the traditional centres of automotive design are being challenged in new and unexpected ways.
Designed to encourage conversation rather than presentation, Car Design Dialogues Stuttgart offers rare access to the people shaping the industry's future. At a time when the rules of automotive design are being rewritten, the event asks a simple question: who will define the next era of car design?
Registration & Networking
Join fellow designers for coffee and breakfast as the day begins. A chance to connect, exchange ideas and set the tone for the discussions ahead.
Session 1: European New Wave (Panel Discussion)
The faces may have changed, but the stakes have never been higher. As brands navigate the transition to a new automotive era, a new generation of design leaders is redefining what leadership means inside some of the world's most influential studios.
Joining Car Design News for an exclusive discussion, industry leaders will share their perspectives on design vision, organisational culture, talent development and the challenge of guiding iconic brands through a period of unprecedented technological and cultural change.
From preserving brand DNA to embracing new forms, new technologies and new business realities, this panel offers a rare insight into the thinking shaping the future of automotive design and the leadership required to deliver it.
Key Themes
- Leading through transformation – managing creative teams in an era of rapid technological change.
- Protecting brand DNA – balancing heritage with innovation.
- Design culture and talent – attracting, developing and retaining the next generation of designers.
- The future design leader – What skills will define successful leadership in the automotive industry of tomorrow?
Session 2: Autobahn Blasters and City Runabouts/or The Future of European Design Typologies
Europe's automotive identity has long been defined by a set of distinct vehicle archetypes: the Autobahn GT, the executive saloon, the hot hatch and the compact city car. Yet as electrification, changing lifestyles and new technologies transform the industry, these familiar categories are beginning to blur.
This session explores the future of European design typologies and asks whether genuinely new forms are emerging—or whether the SUV continues to dominate the conversation. From urban mobility solutions to high-performance grand tourers, the panel will examine how changing architectures, design tools and consumer expectations are reshaping the vehicles Europeans drive and the design languages that define them.
As designers gain greater freedom through electrification and software-defined platforms, are we witnessing the birth of new typologies—or simply the evolution of old ones?
Key Themes
- The evolution of European archetypes – From city cars and hot hatches to crossovers and electric GTs.
- The SUV question – Dominant typology or design dead end?
- New freedoms, new forms – How electrification is changing proportion and packaging.
- Regional identity in a global market – What makes a vehicle distinctly European in 2026?
Session 3: CMF Strategies for a New Europe
As electrification and software continue to reshape the automotive landscape, Colour, Material and Finish has become one of the industry's most powerful tools for differentiation. Far beyond aesthetics, CMF now sits at the intersection of sustainability, technology, craftsmanship and culture.
This session explores how Europe's leading CMF teams are responding to changing consumer expectations and redefining the role of materiality in automotive design.
From circular design principles and responsible sourcing to new interpretations of luxury, performance and authenticity, the discussion will examine how colour, materials and finishes are helping brands create distinction in an increasingly crowded marketplace. As notions of premium continue to evolve, what will define the next generation of automotive CMF?
Key Themes
• Beyond aesthetics – CMF as a strategic tool for brand expression.
• The new premium – How perceptions of luxury, quality and craftsmanship are changing.
• Material innovation and sustainability – Circularity, responsible sourcing and next-generation materials.
• European identity – Does a distinctly European approach to CMF still exist in a global automotive market?
Lunch
Session 4: Truck Interior of the Future
The truck cab is rapidly evolving from a purely functional workspace into a sophisticated environment shaped by connectivity, electrification and changing expectations around driver wellbeing. As commercial vehicles become increasingly digital, automated and software-defined, designers have an unprecedented opportunity to rethink how drivers interact with their vehicles—and how those vehicles support them throughout the working day.
This session explores how leading manufacturers are redefining the truck interior for a new era of commercial mobility. Through a series of case studies, speakers will examine everything from ergonomics and HMI to material choices, cabin architecture and the integration of advanced technologies.
As the industry faces growing pressure to attract and retain drivers, the cabin is becoming a critical differentiator. How can designers balance comfort, safety and productivity while creating environments that enhance wellbeing and reduce fatigue? And as automation continues to advance, what role will the truck interior play in the future of road transport?
Key Themes
- The driver experience – Designing for comfort, wellbeing and long-haul usability.
- Digital workspaces – The evolution of HMI and connected cabin technologies.
- Cabin architecture – New opportunities created by electrification and automation.
- Attracting the next generation – How design can help address the industry's driver shortage.
Session 5: What Role Does Design Play in a Successful Car Launch?
Great design is often cited as a key ingredient in a successful vehicle launch—but how much influence does design really have once a car leaves the studio? In an era where storytelling, social media, customer experience and brand perception can be as influential as the product itself, the relationship between design and commercial success has never been more complex.
Bringing together leaders from design, product planning and brand strategy, this session explores why some vehicles exceed expectations while others fail to gain traction despite strong products and compelling design. Through a series of recent case studies, the panel will examine the factors that shape success, from design vision and brand positioning to timing, communication and market conditions.
As the industry becomes increasingly competitive, should designers remain focused on creating great products—or play a more active role in how those products are launched, marketed and ultimately sold?
Key Themes
- The power of storytelling – How design narratives shape consumer perception.
- Timing and market context – Why some launches succeed while others struggle.
- From studio to showroom – Should designers have greater influence beyond product development?
- Design as a commercial asset – Measuring the impact of design on business success.
Session 6: What Comes After the Screen?
For more than a decade, automotive HMI has been defined by the touchscreen. Yet as displays continue to grow in size and complexity, questions around usability, distraction and differentiation are becoming impossible to ignore.
This session explores what comes next. From panoramic displays and augmented reality to voice interaction, AI assistants, haptics and ambient information systems, designers are increasingly looking beyond the touchscreen to create more intuitive, contextual and human-centred experiences.
Bringing together leaders from design, UX and technology, the discussion will examine how future vehicles will communicate with their occupants—and whether the industry's screen-first approach has already reached its limits. As software-defined vehicles become the norm, what will define the next generation of automotive interfaces?
Key Themes
- Beyond the touchscreen – What comes after the era of screen-centric design?
- AI and conversational interfaces – The rise of intelligent, context-aware assistants.
- Ambient and invisible UX – How information can be delivered without adding complexity.
- The return of physical interaction – Finding the right balance between digital and tactile controls.
Break
Session 7: The New European Studios
Europe has long been home to the automotive industry's most influential design centres. Today, a new generation of studios is reshaping the landscape.
Driven in large part by the rapid expansion of Chinese automotive brands, manufacturers have established significant design operations across Europe, recruiting experienced talent from established OEMs and investing heavily in local creative capabilities. Increasingly, these studios are doing more than adapting products for European markets—they are helping define global design strategies and influencing products sold around the world.
This session explores the rise of these new design organisations and the impact they are having on the wider industry. How are they attracting talent? What distinguishes their cultures from those of traditional OEMs? And as ideas, people and influence flow between established manufacturers and ambitious new entrants, where will the industry's future design leadership emerge?
Bringing together senior figures from both established and emerging organisations, the discussion will examine how the geography of automotive design is changing—and what that means for creativity, competition and innovation in Europe.
Key Themes
- The Chinese investment boom – Why new brands are establishing design centres in Europe.
- The talent migration – How experienced designers are moving between established OEMs and emerging players.
- New studio cultures – Different approaches to leadership, development and decision-making.
- Global ambition, European creativity – Designing for international markets from a European base.