This Month in Car Design

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 The all new BMW i3 (or is that 3-Series?) 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 Andrea Mocellin on AI tools and “human instinct” 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 Sharon Gauci retires from GM 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 Chris Lefteri’s appointment at Alcantara 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 José Navarro replaces Joaquin Garcia at Italdesign 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 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 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

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 LabWhy 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 RetromobileWhy public reactions to new cars remain emotionally charged, with nostalgia, resistance to change shaping negativity toward contemporary vehicle designAnd 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 KiaSubscribers 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/2592174Ford Mustang Dark Horse SC: https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/designing-on-the-edge-how-fords-dark-horse-sc-took-shape/2590571Zeekr on design freeze: https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/early-design-freeze-brings-purchasing-power/2591766Xpeng's Alain Simon talks design for manufacturing: https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/manufacturing-department-an-enabler-for-design-says-xpeng/2585875Honda's new logo: https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/honda-unveils-new-logo/2585879Porsche 911 review: https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/design-driven-porsche-911-carrera/2593778Detroit Auto Show review: https://www.cardesignnews.com/shows/detroits-design-renaissance-leaves-its-auto-show-behind/2589650Brussels Motor Show review: https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/brussels-sprouting-could-the-belgian-motor-show-youve-barely-heard-of-become-the-new-geneva/2585930Retromobile 2026: https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/theres-more-passion-here-than-at-a-normal-car-show/2597117Why do car people hate new cars? https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/why-do-car-people-hate-new-cars/2584558Honda Base Station: https://www.cardesignnews.com/cars/honda-reveals-new-base-station/2586456Tobias Sühlmann joins Porsche: https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/porsche-appoints-tobias-suehlmann-as-new-head-of-design/2595752Thomas 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/2583816What'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/2593909Dave Marek retires: https://www.cardesignnews.com/designers/dave-marek-retires-from-honda/2581710Join us in person at events around the world:Milan: https://cddmilan.cardesignnews.com/Beijing: https://cddbeijing.cardesignnews.com/Detroit: https://cdddetroit.cardesignnews.com/London: https://peopleawards.cardesignnews.com/