The 18th SIAM Styling and Design Conclave, organized by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), took place on March 22, 2024, at Hotel Ramada Plaza by Wyndham in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. Alongside the conclave, the 16th Automotive Design Challenge (ADC) was also held. The theme of the conclave, “Designing for Aspiring India,” focused on the future of vehicle styling and design in the country. The event brought together numerous experienced automobile designers from India and abroad to exchange ideas and insights, shaping the future of vehicle aesthetics.
The Automotive Design Challenge (ADC) 2023, a prestigious annual design competition organized by SIAM, was conducted during the conclave. It provided a platform for budding automobile designers to exhibit their talents and envision the future of automotive styling and design. Following a stringent selection process, the top ten students were selected to present their innovative concepts during the conclave.
Prashant K Banerjee, Executive Director of SIAM, emphasized the significance of indigenous designs, stating, “For Rising India, the time is ripe to style Indian Automobiles and Mobility with indigenous designs.” In his welcome address, G Sathiyaseelan, Chairman of SIAM Styling & Design Group, noted, “The needs of Indian users are evolving, as are design requirements. Mega-trends and technological paths need reinvention. There is a necessity to democratize the mindset of Indian Designers. Becoming a designer means becoming a problem solver for the end-user.”
In the keynote address, Luciano D’ Ambrosio, Founder of LDA Design, Italy, remarked, “Besides EV, I believe there are numerous other opportunities for alternative fuels to consider something different. The approach to creating new cars has always been categorized into the same design and different fuels. I like to distinguish between style and design. Style is fashionable; Design should be a new innovation.” The inaugural session, themed “Harnessing Technology for Innovative Design,” commenced with A. Dhanasekaran, Assistant General Manager at Ashok Leyland, setting the tone.
Nikhil Rane, Head of Design & Innovation at Adient India, emphasized the critical role of seats in automobiles, especially for important individuals. He highlighted the unique perspective on comfort from a non-driving standpoint. Debrup Sanyal, Design Studio Manager at Estech India, S. Anbuchezhian, Head of D&ME, S&R, and IP at Apollo Tyres, Shweta Kumari, Head of Colour Design at Kansai Nerolac, and Sathish Kumar, Manager of Application Engineering for India & Southeast Asia at Stratasys, were also among the speakers in this session.
The subsequent session, themed “Designing for Global Excellence,” began with an address by Pankaj Dhamane, Senior General Manager at Mahindra & Mahindra. Ferdinand Klauser, Managing Director at KISKA Shanghai, emphasized the importance of practicality in decision-making for designers, noting their role as change-makers for positive impacts. Dinesh Raman, Senior Design Manager at KISKA Shanghai, highlighted the automotive industry’s role in economic growth and its significance as a manufacturing partner.
Rajesh Gogu, Head of Exterior & Advanced Design at Maruti Suzuki India, emphasized the importance of market understanding and seizing opportunities, particularly in the SUV segment, which is witnessing significant growth in India. Utkarsh Biradar, Chief Designer at Tata Elxsi, discussed the increasing consumer focus on comfort and the demand for personalized experiences in vehicles. He highlighted how vehicles have become more intuitive with advanced sensor technologies.
The final session was a panel discussion on “Enhancing Industry-Academia Collaboration,” moderated by Saurabh Singh, Head of Design at Maruti Suzuki India. The panelists, including Prof. Vipul Vinzuda, Head of Transportation Design at NID Ahmedabad, Prof. Thomas Dal, Director-Dean at Strate School of Design, Alka Madhan, Director of Strategy at MIT Institute of Design, Bikash Jyoti Biswas, Head of Design at Ather Energy, and G. Sathiyaseelan, Chairman of SIAM Styling & Design Group, stressed the need for collaboration between industry and academia to support and nurture young design talent. They emphasized the role of innovation and talent in driving the automotive sector forward.
The event concluded with the announcement of the top three winners of the ADC 2023, showcasing emerging talent in automotive styling and design. Likhith Sarvareddy from Strate School of Design won the first prize, followed by Vinayak Tiwari from Ajeenkya DY Patil University and Bhujang Sakore from the National Institute of Design as the first and second runners-up. The diverse audience, comprising design practitioners from automobile OEMs, component suppliers, technology suppliers, design students, faculty members, and other stakeholders, contributed to a lively exchange of ideas and perspectives throughout the event.
The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) stands as the foremost national body representing major vehicle and engine manufacturers in India. Functioning as a society with charitable aims, it is registered under the Societies Registration Act 1860. SIAM’s core objectives include enhancing the automobile industry’s contribution to India’s economic growth and development, aiding the industry in fulfilling its social responsibilities, promoting industry efficiency, particularly within India, and advancing environmental protection. These efforts encompass addressing issues such as global warming, pollution control, and the safety of vehicle users and the public.
