Interior Motives China Conference Day Two

Interior Motives is the print magazine from Car Design News, which focuses on the design development of vehicle interiors.

Conducted by Mark West, Chair of Transportation Design at CCS, the day's first session explored how vehicle designers can develop a versatile environment for urban dwellers.

Horii took to the podium to cite the example of the brand's GT86, which has room for up to four wheels in the trunk for the track but enough room in the back for the kids and shopping. Its Space Cruiser and Porte models have been designed with a large sliding door to allow easier access for smaller children and older people.

Shizuki Kajiyama, director of Design, Yanfeng Visteon used his speech to discuss future mobility and the future of versatile interiors within the Chinese market, citing key factors such as new consumers, urbanization and whether or not it is eco-friendly. Kajiyama claims that by 2015 there will be 500,000 electric vehicles, which will corner two percent of the market. The current crop of EVs, he argues, are not distinctive enough and the fact you need your own charging station is highly inconvenient.

By 2020 it is predicted that people will have more than double the amount of disposable income, while 60 percent of the Chinese population will live in cities – more money, more urban living means less parking, Kajiyama said. A new generation of consumers – born after 1990 – want to be excited and express their individuality and therefore will be prepared to buy exactly what they want and personalize it. This is going to lead to cars where you can pre-programme a scent, temperature and nearly everything within the cabin.

Simon Loasby, director of Design, Volkswagen China, began his presentation by exploring how cup holders first found their way into cars – it was through American lifestyle in the 1950s at the time of the drive-thru. The cup holder was not designed for designers; it was developed to suit the customer's needs. He went on to tell the attendees about the People's Car Project that took place last year, which led to thousands of ideas being submitted. These were not solutions, but problems and issues the customers had identified. 

The feedback was that they wanted something flexible but cool. A simple, plain canvas interior, for example, along with more screens, less buttons and flexible lighting. With technological advances this is possible, for example with data storage in the Cloud and voice control technology. We are witnessing the ‘death' of the mechanical switch, Loasby announced.

After a break for teas and coffees, the first of the day's interactive presentations took place, led by Ning Ding, industry design technical specialist at Autodesk, under the title of ‘Maximize Designers' Abilities with Autodesk Solutions'. Examining how to transform 2D to 3D perfectly and deliver the best designs with digital design solutions, the attendees came away with valuable experience.

By CDN Team