Entertaining Rides

Manufacturers are ramping up emotional engagement with vehicles that spark joy and are fun to drive. Compact city cars are revitalised via upbeat design, while expressive, smile-inducing details seek to capture the young and young at heart. Gaming culture and artistic collaborations introduce exciting new perspectives and opportunities.

Rugged Refinement

As the popularity of sports utility vehicles (SUVs) continues to rise (see Key Stats), rugged adventure aesthetics are evolving for wider appeal. Here, practicality merges with premium living. Meanwhile, dramatic nature continues to have a strong influence on CMF – for instance, colour is crafted to work in harmony with the outdoors.

Driver-Centric Experiences

Increased focus is being placed on the driving experience. Efficient lightweighting improves handling and performance, while cabins prioritise comfort with homely design cues, quality materials and tactile analogue controls. In-car ambience is adjustable and multisensory, offering further enrichment and aligning with the driver’s mood.

Rare & Individual

Brands are pushing configurability in the name of exclusivity and individuality via extensive colour and material combinations and alluring paint finishes. And, despite prevalent achromatic palettes (see Key Stats), a more colourful shift is unfolding to counter homogeneity. Meanwhile, meticulous craftsmanship, reflective of personal passions, makes personalisation more prestigious.

Advancing Eco Roadmaps

The industry is progressing its sustainability initiatives, with many brands taking a holistic approach to better their supply chains and products. Decarbonisation is fuelling the adoption of bio-based and secondary materials, while a reductive design ethos sees lightweight efficiencies explored.