The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) successfully hosted the 19th SIAM Styling & Design Conclave alongside the 17th edition of the Automotive Design Challenge (ADC). With the theme “Innovating Today, Inspiring Tomorrow’s Mobility,” the event focused on the rapidly changing landscape of vehicle design and its role in the future of mobility. The conclave served as a platform for automobile designers, industry experts, and academics to discuss the evolving dynamics of automotive aesthetics and future mobility solutions.
During his opening address, Prashant K Banerjee, Executive Director of SIAM, emphasized the pivotal role automotive design will play as the industry adapts to powertrain changes. He said, “We are entering an era where automotive design has the potential to innovate like never before. With Indian design aspirations on the rise, it’s time for the world to witness a new wave of Indian automotive innovation. SIAM is committed to fostering next-gen talent and pushing forward innovative ideas that contribute to the vision of a Viksit Bharat.”
G Sathiyaseelan, Chairman of the SIAM Styling & Design Group and Vice President (Design) at Ashok Leyland, urged for a more empirical and innovative approach in automotive design. “It’s crucial that we turn our design efforts into a movement. This is the time to innovate and inspire the future,” he stated.
In his keynote address, Teofilo Plaza Garcia, Industrial Studio Head at Hero MotoCorp, highlighted the importance of designing not only for sustainability but also for emotional impact. “We are challenging the belief that high-performing, affordable vehicles can’t be well-designed. To compete globally, we need to invest in nurturing young talent,” he shared.
Mr. Anuj Prasad, Founder and CEO of Desmania Design, spoke about India’s growing design ecosystem. “With over 1,500 design schools, we are now on the threshold of a major transformation in design. We need to transition from stylists to thought leaders in the design world,” he said.
In his closing remarks, Nilesh Kirtane, Co-Chairman of the SIAM Styling & Design Group and General Manager at Honda R&D India, emphasized the significance of innovation in automotive design, stating, “Innovation emerges from design, and we have a responsibility to creatively impact the lives of people as we drive the future of mobility.”
The first session, “Technology Innovation as an Enabler for Design,” was chaired by Akansha Hakhu, Senior General Manager (CMF) at Maruti Suzuki. Dr Kaustav Sengupta, Professor at NIFT Chennai, discussed India’s potential to lead in global color trends, emphasizing the need to incorporate indigenous colors in vehicle designs to celebrate India’s cultural identity.
Samarth Gupta from Autodesk shared insights into evolving customer expectations and how geopolitical and consumer trends are reshaping the mobility landscape. Rajesh Gogu from Maruti Suzuki explained how design can reinvent declining vehicle segments, emphasizing the importance of adapting to shifting consumer preferences and designing for lower carbon footprints.
The second session, “Designing for Global Aspirations,” was chaired by V S Deka, Group Manager at Royal Enfield. Experts like Ferdinand Klauser from KISKA and Pravin Gaikwad from Tata Motors discussed the crucial role of design in establishing India’s leadership in sustainable mobility. The third session, “Fostering Industry-Academia Interaction,” featured a panel of academics and industry leaders. The panelists stressed the importance of stronger collaboration to nurture young talent and fuel innovation in automotive design.
As part of the conclave, SIAM hosted the 17th Automotive Design Challenge, an annual competition for aspiring designers. The top 10 students showcased their innovative concepts, with their designs displayed for the audience to explore.
The ADC 2024 Award Felicitation Ceremony recognized four outstanding winners: Vedant Barve from MIT Institute of Design, Naga Karthik Jonnala from Strate School of Design, and second runners-up Rajat Sisodia from the National Institute of Design and Anurag Ramteke from Strate School of Design.
The event concluded with an engaging design workshop, offering participants hands-on experience in advanced automotive styling. SIAM’s Styling & Design Conclave brought together a diverse audience of automotive professionals, designers, students, and other stakeholders, fostering an exchange of ideas and perspectives for shaping the future of automotive design.
The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) is a non-profit apex national body representing all major vehicle and engine manufacturers in India. SIAM supports the sustainable development of the Indian automobile industry with a focus on innovation, quality, and global competitiveness. It aims to position India as the preferred destination for automobile design and manufacturing worldwide.
