This Month in Car Design

April: Beijing, beer leather and Bentleys

CMF innovation, global auto shows and the future of car design take centre stage in this month’s Car Design News in Review. The team discusses playful materials and sustainable finishes, then dives into highlights from the Beijing Auto Show and Milan Design Week, from standout concepts and immersive installations to shifting design trends in China and Europe. Also featured: major industry people moves, profile insights, and key cars including Kia EV4, Honda Super N and Rolls-Royce Project Nightingale. Plus, what’s coming up in lighting, education and design events. Subscribers can access all content flagged during this episode, including: The design VP’s intriguing hippie backstory. AMC Gremlin features https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/bryan-nesbitt-between-soul-and-system/2638466 [https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/bryan-nesbitt-between-soul-and-system/2638466] Materials quiz – beer leather anyone? https://www.cardesignnews.com/cmf/top-colour-amp-trim-trends/2647218 [https://www.cardesignnews.com/cmf/top-colour-amp-trim-trends/2647218] Doh! Skoda’s colourful Milan installation https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/skodas-playdoh-inspired-installation-at-milan-design-week/2654000 [https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/skodas-playdoh-inspired-installation-at-milan-design-week/2654000] Freelander returns and this time it’s a brand https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/freelander-reborn-incredibly-in-2026/2653676 [https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/freelander-reborn-incredibly-in-2026/2653676] Audi lands a UFO in Milan https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/audi-lands-a-ufo-at-porto-venezia/2652751 [https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/audi-lands-a-ufo-at-porto-venezia/2652751] Honesty in materials with Halycon https://www.cardesignnews.com/cmf/halcyons-craftled-approach-to-personalised-restomods/2652449 [https://www.cardesignnews.com/cmf/halcyons-craftled-approach-to-personalised-restomods/2652449] Gilles Vidal wants icons https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/gilles-vidal-on-the-future-of-stellantis-european-brands-we-need-to-deliver-iconic-products/2646963 [https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/gilles-vidal-on-the-future-of-stellantis-european-brands-we-need-to-deliver-iconic-products/2646963] Jazz Age vibes from Rolls-Royce coachbuilt Project Nightingale https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/rollsroyce-reveals-design-of-project-nightingale/2646804 [https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/rollsroyce-reveals-design-of-project-nightingale/2646804] Kia’s polarising (but cool) EV4 Fastback https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/design-driven-kia-ev4-fastback-vs-hatchback/2640134 [https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/design-driven-kia-ev4-fastback-vs-hatchback/2640134]  Kemal Curic takes the reigns at McLaren https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/exclusive-kemal-curic-to-head-up-mclaren-automotive-design/2638963 [https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/exclusive-kemal-curic-to-head-up-mclaren-automotive-design/2638963]

March: If technology is the answer, what was the question?

This month the team reflects on conversations around design tools, where digital and physical processes continue to merge. Chat also turns toward recent launches including the BMW i3, Volkswagen ID. Unyx 08 and Changan’s aviation-inspired S05 (which we drove on an airfield this week, no less). The team also discuss what’s coming up in April, with trips to Germany, Italy and China in the works. Plus, a new monthly focus on future material trends (get in touch!) Subscribers can access all content flagged during this episode, including: Granstudio’s DigiPHY interior buck https://www.cardesignnews.com/partner-content/digiphy-the-design-process/492094 [https://www.cardesignnews.com/partner-content/digiphy-the-design-process/492094]  The all new BMW i3 (or is that 3-Series?)  https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/bmw-welcomes-new-i3-to-the-3series-family/2631005 [https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/bmw-welcomes-new-i3-to-the-3series-family/2631005]  Volkswagen’s collaboration with Xpeng for the ID. Unyx 08 https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/vw-design-team-builds-confident-new-suv-on-xpengs-electric-platform/2630088 [https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/vw-design-team-builds-confident-new-suv-on-xpengs-electric-platform/2630088]  Andrea Mocellin on AI tools and “human instinct” https://www.cardesignnews.com/design-tools/andrea-mocellin-you-need-to-rely-on-your-instincts/2625127 [https://www.cardesignnews.com/design-tools/andrea-mocellin-you-need-to-rely-on-your-instincts/2625127]  The DS No.7, or as James refers to it, “the Mambo No. 5” https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/ds-continues-to-evolve-its-latest-design-language-in-the-new-no7/2629780 [https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/ds-continues-to-evolve-its-latest-design-language-in-the-new-no7/2629780]  Sharon Gauci retires from GM https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/sharon-gauci-to-retire-from-gm/2635540 [https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/sharon-gauci-to-retire-from-gm/2635540]  Jerry McGovern’s JLR saga reaches a finale https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/its-now-official-gerry-mcgovern-to-leave-jlr-role-at-end-of-march/2633351 [https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/its-now-official-gerry-mcgovern-to-leave-jlr-role-at-end-of-march/2633351]  Chris Lefteri’s appointment at Alcantara https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/chris-lefteri-joins-alcantara/2633057 [https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/chris-lefteri-joins-alcantara/2633057]  Stefan Sielaff on why China speed is ‘old news’ https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/geelys-vp-of-global-design-china-speed-is-an-old-story-now/2634267 [https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/geelys-vp-of-global-design-china-speed-is-an-old-story-now/2634267]  José Navarro replaces Joaquin Garcia at Italdesign https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/navarro-to-lead-italdesign-as-garcia-departs/2628703 [https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/navarro-to-lead-italdesign-as-garcia-departs/2628703]  Genesis’ John Krsteski on digital tools  https://www.cardesignnews.com/videos/genesis-john-krsteski-why-digital-tools-make-it-the-best-time-to-be-a-car-designer/2625063 [https://www.cardesignnews.com/videos/genesis-john-krsteski-why-digital-tools-make-it-the-best-time-to-be-a-car-designer/2625063]  Ralph Gilles muses on the future of the SUV https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/were-very-conscious-that-the-brands-are-king-ralph-gilles/2623912 [https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/were-very-conscious-that-the-brands-are-king-ralph-gilles/2623912]  Pagani designer says “your mind” is the best creative tool  https://www.cardesignnews.com/videos/its-better-to-have-a-good-idea-than-a-good-drawing-says-pagani-designer/2622864 [https://www.cardesignnews.com/videos/its-better-to-have-a-good-idea-than-a-good-drawing-says-pagani-designer/2622864]

February: Autonomous driving, Ferrari Luce and special guest Robert Forrest

This month the team discussed:   * Autonomous driving, with stories involving Lucid, Tesla, Tensor, UE Studios and a chat with Romulus Rost (who designed the interior of the original Audi TT) * A visit to MG and SAIC’s ever philosophical chief designer Jozef Kaban * A conversation with design expert Robert Forrest live in the studio, touching on tech-led strategies and brand power. Plus, will car brands ever appoint a Head of Autonomous Vehicle Design? * People news at VW, Leapmotor and Ford China, plus an update on former Volvo design boss Jeremy Offer * What’s coming up with CDN in March, with trips to Germany, Sweden and The Cotswolds and a new monthly focus on design tools (get in touch!) Subscribers can access all content flagged during this episode, including: Freddie’s visit to UE Studios: https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/new-av-shuttle-has-a-compelling-design-but-will-the-project-take-off/2607769 [https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/new-av-shuttle-has-a-compelling-design-but-will-the-project-take-off/2607769]  James gets philosophical with Jozef Kaban: https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/jozef-kaban-we-need-to-be-the-light-for-the-whole-system-not-just-design/2607688 [https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/jozef-kaban-we-need-to-be-the-light-for-the-whole-system-not-just-design/2607688]  Lucid’s Derek Jenkins talks luxury AVs: https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/designing-autonomous-luxury-at-lucid/2606686 [https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/designing-autonomous-luxury-at-lucid/2606686]  Tensor Robocar: https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/tensor-robocar-the-personal-autonomous-vehicle-shaped-by-sensors/2613315 [https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/tensor-robocar-the-personal-autonomous-vehicle-shaped-by-sensors/2613315]  Tesla Cybercab interview: https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/designing-the-future-from-first-principles-von-holzhausen-on-the-tesla-cybercab/2612995 [https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/designing-the-future-from-first-principles-von-holzhausen-on-the-tesla-cybercab/2612995]  Ferrari Luce UX revealed: https://www.cardesignnews.com/interiors/is-ferraris-luce-interior-a-masterclass-in-hmi/2604887 [https://www.cardesignnews.com/interiors/is-ferraris-luce-interior-a-masterclass-in-hmi/2604887]  Theon design restomod: https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/how-to-design-restomods-and-stamp-your-creativity-on-existing-cars/2612393 [https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/how-to-design-restomods-and-stamp-your-creativity-on-existing-cars/2612393]  Skoda Superb test drive: https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/design-driven-skoda-superb/2611907 [https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/design-driven-skoda-superb/2611907]  Romulus Rost on AVs: https://www.cardesignnews.com/interiors/romulus-rost-on-autonomous-vehicles/2611351 [https://www.cardesignnews.com/interiors/romulus-rost-on-autonomous-vehicles/2611351]  Andreas Mindt promoted at VW: https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/andreas-mindt-named-as-head-of-volkswagen-group-design/2610458 [https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/andreas-mindt-named-as-head-of-volkswagen-group-design/2610458]  Adil Benwadih joins Leapmotor: https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/whos-where-adil-benwadih-joins-leapmotor/2602133 [https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/whos-where-adil-benwadih-joins-leapmotor/2602133]  Ivo Groen at BAIC Turin: https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/exclusive-baics-new-turin-studio-takes-shape-with-ivo-groen-at-the-helm/2600368 [https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/exclusive-baics-new-turin-studio-takes-shape-with-ivo-groen-at-the-helm/2600368]  Raul Pires replaces Max Wolff at Ford China: https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/exclusive-raul-pires-replaces-max-wolff-as-head-of-ford-design-in-china-and-asia-wolff-joins-gm-china/2599556 [https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/exclusive-raul-pires-replaces-max-wolff-as-head-of-ford-design-in-china-and-asia-wolff-joins-gm-china/2599556]  Join us in Milan: https://www.cardesignnews.com/events/car-design-dialogues-milan/232453 [https://www.cardesignnews.com/events/car-design-dialogues-milan/232453]  …and in Beijing: https://cddbeijing.cardesignnews.com/ [https://cddbeijing.cardesignnews.com/]

January: Detroit, Brussels, and the Skoda 'Not Bad'

This month the team discussed:  * The importance of design for manufacturing, highlighting how early production constraints improve creativity, feasibility and cross-team alignment across startups and major OEMs such as Ford, Xpeng, Zeekr and Oil Stain Lab * Why Detroit’s design boom is in danger of leaving is hallowed car show behind; plus is Brussels neutral territory a good substitute for the now dead Geneva show; and weigh up the brand heritage that comes as the price of entry to Retromobile * Why public reactions to new cars remain emotionally charged, with nostalgia, resistance to change shaping negativity toward contemporary vehicle design * And we speculate about the possibility of Volvo restarting its US design studio with Nick Gronenthal as the head plus highlight some key moves at Porsche and Kia Subscribers can access all content flagged during this episode, including: The twins at Oilstain Lab: https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/constraints-enable-creativity-oilstainlab-ceo-on-design-for-manufacturing/2592174 [https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/constraints-enable-creativity-oilstainlab-ceo-on-design-for-manufacturing/2592174] Ford Mustang Dark Horse SC: https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/designing-on-the-edge-how-fords-dark-horse-sc-took-shape/2590571 [https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/designing-on-the-edge-how-fords-dark-horse-sc-took-shape/2590571] Zeekr on design freeze: https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/early-design-freeze-brings-purchasing-power/2591766 [https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/early-design-freeze-brings-purchasing-power/2591766] Xpeng's Alain Simon talks design for manufacturing: https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/manufacturing-department-an-enabler-for-design-says-xpeng/2585875 [https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/manufacturing-department-an-enabler-for-design-says-xpeng/2585875] Honda's new logo: https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/honda-unveils-new-logo/2585879 [https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/honda-unveils-new-logo/2585879] Porsche 911 review: https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/design-driven-porsche-911-carrera/2593778 [https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/design-driven-porsche-911-carrera/2593778] Detroit Auto Show review: https://www.cardesignnews.com/shows/detroits-design-renaissance-leaves-its-auto-show-behind/2589650 [https://www.cardesignnews.com/shows/detroits-design-renaissance-leaves-its-auto-show-behind/2589650] Brussels Motor Show review: https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/brussels-sprouting-could-the-belgian-motor-show-youve-barely-heard-of-become-the-new-geneva/2585930 [https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/brussels-sprouting-could-the-belgian-motor-show-youve-barely-heard-of-become-the-new-geneva/2585930] Retromobile 2026: https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/theres-more-passion-here-than-at-a-normal-car-show/2597117 [https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/theres-more-passion-here-than-at-a-normal-car-show/2597117] Why do car people hate new cars? https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/why-do-car-people-hate-new-cars/2584558 [https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/why-do-car-people-hate-new-cars/2584558] Honda Base Station: https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/honda-reveals-new-base-station/2586456 [https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/honda-reveals-new-base-station/2586456] Tobias Sühlmann joins Porsche: https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/porsche-appoints-tobias-suehlmann-as-new-head-of-design/2595752 [https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/porsche-appoints-tobias-suehlmann-as-new-head-of-design/2595752] Thomas Ingenlath returns to Volvo: https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/exclusive-qampa-ingenlath-on-his-second-volvo-term-i-bring-a-hell-of-a-lot-of-experience-in-designing-cars/2583816 [https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/exclusive-qampa-ingenlath-on-his-second-volvo-term-i-bring-a-hell-of-a-lot-of-experience-in-designing-cars/2583816] What's going on with Volvo USA? https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/exclusive-first-sight-qampa-volvos-interim-design-boss-on-ex60-and-whats-next-after-ingenlaths-return/2593909 [https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/exclusive-first-sight-qampa-volvos-interim-design-boss-on-ex60-and-whats-next-after-ingenlaths-return/2593909] Dave Marek retires: https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/dave-marek-retires-from-honda/2581710 [https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/dave-marek-retires-from-honda/2581710] Join us in person at events around the world: Milan: https://cddmilan.cardesignnews.com/ [https://cddmilan.cardesignnews.com/] Beijing: https://cddbeijing.cardesignnews.com/ [https://cddbeijing.cardesignnews.com/] Detroit: https://cdddetroit.cardesignnews.com/ [https://cdddetroit.cardesignnews.com/] London: https://peopleawards.cardesignnews.com/ [https://peopleawards.cardesignnews.com/]

This Month In Car Design Trailer

A monthly podcast from the CDN editorial team delivering sharp insight into the stories, people and trends shaping global automotive design - from concept cars and production launches to leadership moves, emerging talent and the technologies redefining how cars are created.