Standing out in an era of global design
6-10pm, 23 April 2025,
Andaz Xintiandi, Shanghai
Join the conversation #CDNShanghai
Standing out in an era of global design
6-10pm, 23 April 2025 | Andaz Xintiandi, Shanghai
Join the conversation #CDNShanghai
Standing out in an era of global design
6-10pm, 23 April 2025 | Andaz Xintiandi, Shanghai
Join the conversation #CDNShanghai
OVERVIEW
Design on a global stage poses several challenges with different regional tastes, regulations and aesthetic values. Designers must address this while maintaining a cohesive global appeal. To succeed, car manufacturers must establish a hybrid approach, integrating local knowledge of key markets within a broader global strategy.
Key themes our panels will discuss include:
- How to create a unique brand identity
- Strategies to integrate cutting-edge tech
- Customising for individual and regional preferences
- Local sustainability practices
- The evolving user experience
- Pairing cultural relevance with design excellence.
Join us in China as we return for the first time in five years since a pandemic-enforced hiatus. The event will take place on the evening of the first press day at Auto Shanghai 2025.
Agenda
6:30-7:10pm | Redefining Interiors: Technology, Entertainment, and Material Innovation
China’s automotive industry is leading a transformation in car interiors, where cutting-edge technology, immersive entertainment, and innovative materials converge to deliver unparalleled passenger experiences. This panel will delve into how Chinese automakers are leveraging these elements to meet the evolving expectations of tech-savvy and discerning consumers.
Key themes to be explored:
- In-Car Technology and Connectivity: The integration of AI-powered assistants, 5G-enabled infotainment systems, and augmented reality (AR) displays that redefine interaction, navigation, and entertainment inside vehicles.
- Immersive Entertainment: How advanced sound systems, multi-screen setups, and VR/AR experiences are turning cars into entertainment hubs for both drivers and passengers.
- Material Innovation and Sensory Design: The use of high-tech materials like smart fabrics and sustainable options such as vegan leather and recycled composites to enhance comfort, durability, and environmental responsibility.
- Fusion of Functionality and Luxury: How premium finishes, tactile surfaces, and customisable ambient lighting create a sophisticated yet practical in-cabin environment.
Javier Garcia Gallardo
Head of design
Zeekr Design
Shanghai Studio
Yang Chao
interior design director
Dongfeng Design
Shanghai
Dr. Roman Kleindienst
EVP / Head
ZEISS Microoptics
7:10-7:20pm | Fireside chat with SAIC's Jazef Kaban
Jozef Kabaň joins James McLachlan for an exclusive fireside chat, offering a first look at his vision for SAIC’s future. As he steps into this pivotal role, Kabaň explores the fusion of Eastern innovation and Western craftsmanship, shaping a bold new design identity. Expect insights on digital creativity, EV advancements, and how SAIC is redefining global mobility. With a focus on balancing heritage and modernity, Kabaň reveals how cross-cultural collaboration is driving fresh ideas. Don’t miss this deep dive into the creative mind reshaping one of the world’s most ambitious automotive brands.
Jozef Kaban
vice president
SAIC
7:20-8pm | Bridging Cultures in Automotive Design
Join us for an engaging panel discussion exploring the contrasts and synergies between Chinese and Western car design. Along with an expert panel, Car Design News delves into how cultural aesthetics, market demands, and technological innovation shape the global automotive landscape.
We’ll examine the historical evolution of design philosophies, from the heritage-driven approach of Western brands to the bold, tech-forward vision emerging from China. Explore how cultural values5 influence design elements — such as minimalism versus maximalism — and how both regions address challenges like electrification, sustainability, and rapid consumer shifts.
The panel will also highlight innovations in EVs, autonomous driving, and connectivity, with Chinese brands leading mass-market affordability and Western manufacturers focusing on premium experiences. Discussions will include how global collaborations and regulatory frameworks impact design strategies and the future of cross-cultural aesthetics. How can OEMs break free from ‘global design’ homogeneity and deliver something new and exciting?
Through case studies and interactive dialogue, attendees will gain insights into bridging cultural differences and anticipating trends in a rapidly evolving industry. Whether you’re crafting luxury icons or cutting-edge EVs, this event will inspire fresh perspectives on creating designs that resonate across borders.
- Contrasting design approaches: The discussion explores contrasts between China's bold, tech-driven aesthetics and Western heritage-focused designs, including themes like minimalism versus maximalism, material trends and UX.
- Impact of collaboration: Examination of how global partnerships shape cross-cultural design strategies.
- Breaking Design Homogeneity: Strategies for overcoming "global design" uniformity to create vehicles that resonate with regional cultures while appealing to global markets.
Anthony Lo
Chief design officer,
Vice president of global design
BAIC Group
Fan Zhang
Vice president and head of design of GAC R&D Center
General manager of GAC R&D Center Europe and Silicon Valley
Klaus Zyciora
Vice-president
Changan Automobile
Speakers
Anthony Lo
chief design officer, vice president of global design, BAIC Group
Speaker
READ BIO
BIO
Anthony Lo was appointed as chief design officer and vice president of global design at BAIC Group in October 2024.
Before joining BAIC, Anthony Lo was Ford’s global chief design officer, responsible for creating consistent brand experiences with a line-up of products for both the Ford and Lincoln brands.
Before this, Lo served as Renault’s VP of exterior design and led the invention of new design languages for the Renault and Dacia product line-up.
In 2010, he was the director of advanced design for General Motors Europe, overseeing Saab, Opel and Vauxhall projects. In 1993, he joined Mercedes-Benz’s new advanced design studio in Japan, having worked at Audi in Germany for three years before that. Lo’s career in design ultimately kicked off with Lotus Cars where he designed the distinctive Carlton and worked on other notable vehicles, such as the Isuzu 4200R concept.
Lo is a native of Hong Kong and holds a degree in industrial design from Hong Kong Polytechnic University, as well as a Master’s degree in automotive design at the Royal College of Art in London. He holds numerous accolades, including: Geneva Auto Show’s Best of Show (2006); Car Design News Concept Car of the Year (2007); Hong Kong Elle Style’s Asian Designer of the Year (2007); World’s Outstanding Chinese Designer Award (2012); Hong Kong Outstanding Polytechnic University Alumni Award (2013).
Before joining BAIC, Anthony Lo was Ford’s global chief design officer, responsible for creating consistent brand experiences with a line-up of products for both the Ford and Lincoln brands.
Before this, Lo served as Renault’s VP of exterior design and led the invention of new design languages for the Renault and Dacia product line-up.
In 2010, he was the director of advanced design for General Motors Europe, overseeing Saab, Opel and Vauxhall projects. In 1993, he joined Mercedes-Benz’s new advanced design studio in Japan, having worked at Audi in Germany for three years before that. Lo’s career in design ultimately kicked off with Lotus Cars where he designed the distinctive Carlton and worked on other notable vehicles, such as the Isuzu 4200R concept.
Lo is a native of Hong Kong and holds a degree in industrial design from Hong Kong Polytechnic University, as well as a Master’s degree in automotive design at the Royal College of Art in London. He holds numerous accolades, including: Geneva Auto Show’s Best of Show (2006); Car Design News Concept Car of the Year (2007); Hong Kong Elle Style’s Asian Designer of the Year (2007); World’s Outstanding Chinese Designer Award (2012); Hong Kong Outstanding Polytechnic University Alumni Award (2013).
Klaus Zyciora
vice-president, Changan Automobile
Speaker
READ BIO
BIO
Klaus has more than 30 years of experience in automotive design and management, and is one of the world’s most famous designers. He was most recently head of global design of Volkswagen Group, where he was responsible for the design across the group’s 12 brands, including Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, and was in charge of the design of many of Volkswagen’s hot-selling models.
Fan Zhang
vice president and head of design of GAC R&D Center; general manager of GAC R&D Center Europe and Silicon Valley
Speaker
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BIO
Fan Zhang manages the industrial design of all vehicle models for GAC Group's self-owned brands: GAC Motor, AION, and HYPTEC. He has established an international design team across four strategic locations (Los Angeles, Milan, Shanghai, and Guangzhou) creating a network that combines professional expertise with systematic capabilities. Under his leadership, the team's vehicle designs have garnered numerous domestic and international awards.
Javier Garcia Gallardo
head of design, Zeekr Design Shanghai Studio
Speaker
READ BIO
BIO
Javier Garcia Gallardo started his current role as Director of Zeekr Design Shanghai Studio in April, 2024 and leads a team of over 100 talented designers. Javier first began his academic career in Turin, Italy, and graduated with honors from the Royal College of Arts in London, brings extensive experience to his role. Prior to his current role he served as A.R.T. Director (Advanced/Research/Technology) for Zeekr in Gothenburg. He also worked as consultant for various automotive and consumer electronics companies, focusing on interior design, user experience, strategy and innovation. Javier leverages his expertise to ensure Zeekr's design remains at the forefront of innovation.
James McLachlan
editor, Car Design News
Moderator
READ BIO
BIO
James McLachlan is editor of Car Design News, Interior Motives and Car Design Review writing, commissioning and editing the editorial output across digital and print. A design journalist for 14 years, James is interested in the intersection between car design, urban planning, technology and culture.
Yang Chao
interior design director, Dongfeng Design Shanghai
Speaker
READ BIO
BIO
With 20 years of experience in the automotive design industry, Yang Chao has been responsible for over 20 production models. He currently serves as the Interior Design Director at the Shanghai Design Center, managing interior and CMF design. He has led the design of multiple vehicles, including the Zhengzhou Nissan Z9, Nammi 06, epai 2024, etc.
Dr. Roman Kleindienst
EVP / head, ZEISS Microoptics
Speaker
READ BIO
BIO
Roman was appointed as Executive Vice President of ZEISS Microoptics in 2021. In this role, he leads the development of pioneering solutions that utilize holography to convert glass into a smart surface, targeting new use cases in the automotive sector, as well as applications in aerospace and the consumer & home-tech industry.
Prior to joining ZEISS in 2017, Roman served as the Managing Partner of Ilmenau Optics Solutions GmbH, where he contributed to the company’s technological advancements over eight years. He holds a PhD in Integrated Optical Systems from the Technical University of Ilmenau, further solidifying his expertise in the field.
Partners
Marquee Partners
A story that goes beyond borders
Since 1997, we have been producing Dinamica®, an innovative and versatile suede, known for its quality and exceptional performance. This material finds applications in numerous sectors, but in recent years, it has seen a growing demand in the automotive sector, becoming a sought-after choice even by the most prestigious car manufacturers.
Dinamica® is the result of technological collaboration between the renowned Japanese industrial giant Asahi Kasei, the Italian company Miko Srl, and the American multinational Sage Automotive Interiors. Thanks to this partnership, we have been able to distinguish ourselves in the market. The spirit of design and Italian know-how are fundamental to this product, which has reached a global scope thanks to the presence of production sites and offices on every continent.
ZEISS Microoptics, the world's only technology Tier1 supplier for holographic solutions for a wide range of applications in the mobility, hometech and consumer sectors.
The "Multifunctional Smart Glass" technology enables, among other things, large-area holographic projection systems for windshields or rear seat side windows.
ZEISS Microoptics offers the complete value chain from optical design and mastering to holographic replication systems for series production. ZEISS Microoptics is based in Jena, Germany, and is part of the strategic business unit Photonics & Optics.
Premier Partners
About BASF
At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Around 112,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio comprises six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €68.9 billion in 2023. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the United States.
Established in 1832, reimagined in 2021. Pangea is a global leather supplier to the world’s leading automotive brands, providing material solutions that drive the future of natural interiors. Headquartered in Rochester Hills, Michigan. Pangea serves its customers on four continents with nearly 3,500 team members.
Swarovski Mobility brings crystal lifestyle to the car industry with an entirely new class of design elements. Far more than merely decorative, crystal is recognized as a functional component that has set a new standard in interior and exterior design for premium and luxury cars.
From ideas through to finished products, Swarovski Mobility’s goal is to bring Swarovski’s pioneering spirit to new heights. Our combination of precision-cutting technologies with design and trend expertise has produced a prestige visual and haptic experience for the automotive industry. It enables us to help develop crystal elements for a wide variety of automotive projects, whether concept cars or serial production models.
Best practice drives everything we do – our IATF 16949 certification is testament to this. Set by the International Organization for Standardization, it represents worldwide recognition of our impressive technical specification and quality standards, from product development through to our manufacturing processes.
It underlines also an exciting vision for the future, one that will keep pushing our technical, artistic and innovation boundaries as we drive towards it.
Covestro is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of high-quality polymer materials and their components. With its innovative products, processes and methods, the company helps enhance sustainability and the quality of life in many areas. Covestro supplies customers around the world in key industries such as mobility, building and living, as well as the electrical and electronics sector. In addition, polymers from Covestro are also used in sectors such as sports and leisure, telecommunications and health, as well as in the chemical industry itself.
The company is geared completely to the circular economy. In addition, Covestro aims to achieve climate neutrality for its Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 2035, and the Group’s Scope 3 emissions are also set to be climate neutral by 2050. Covestro generated sales of EUR 14.2 billion in fiscal year 2024. At the end of 2024, the company had 46 production sites worldwide and employed approximately 17,500 people (calculated as full-time equivalents).
studiokurbos: Innovative Design at the Intersection of Automotive, Product, and User Experience
studiokurbos is an independent, owner-managed design studio with locations in Stuttgart and Shanghai. Founded by Andreas Kurbos in 2013, the team of around 50 people creates comprehensive design solutions in automotive, product design, and user experience.
studiokurbos is especially known for combining these three design areas, allowing them to create innovative products and mobility solutions for international brands. They focus on connecting physical and digital interactions to make technology more accessible.
In today’s connected world, studiokurbos' approach to combining different design fields is crucial. The studio not only creates visually appealing designs but also intuitive and user-centered experiences that improve the interaction between people and technology. With a deep understanding of design and user needs, studiokurbos goes beyond current trends to develop sustainable, forward-thinking solutions.
Sponsorship
Global design creates vehicles with universal appeal. At best it balances timeless design with local adaptations; at worst it leads to cars that are homogeneous and bland.
Providing cohesive global appeal while meeting regional tastes, regulations and aesthetic values is no mean feat, but one solution may come in the form of a hybrid approach: integrating local knowledge of key markets within a broader global strategy.
Join us on the evening of the press day at Auto Shanghai as we return to China for the first time in five years since a pandemic-enforced hiatus. The event will bring together a mix of OEMs to discuss design trends in China; the importance of a unique brand identity; and how to combine cultural relevance with design excellence.
Venue
Andaz Xintiandi, Shanghai
Venue location
Andaz Xintiandi, Shanghai
Please note that this is not a postal address. Any event materials or shipments will be refused.
88 Songshan Road, Shanghai
200021, China
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