Interior Motives China 2007 Conference Report

The 2007 conference was held on April 18 and 19 at Le Royal Meridien, Shanghai and many of the attendees have testified they found our inaugural China-based conference beneficial, interesting and enjoyable. We welcomed more than 170 delegates from Asia, Australia, North America and Europe 39% of which work for car makers.

Car design conference tackles 'big issues' in China 'first'

How to build a brand in China, developing green design and the future of materials and technology were a few of the hot topics discussed at Interior Motives's first car design conference held in Shanghai from April 19 to April 19. A near 200-strong audience heard speakers from Western and domestic Chinese car brands explain both the massive opportunities and challenges of selling vehicles in a market that overtook Japan in 2006 to become the second biggest in the world, with more than seven million annual sales.

Held at the prestigious Le Royal Meridien Hotel in the heart of the city, delegates including designers from carmakers and Tier One suppliers and brand experts listened to speakers as diverse as MG's new design guardian, Nanjing Automotive's design director Li-Chih Fu, to Ford of Europe and Ford Asia Pacific's Executive Design Director Martin Smith and design studio director of Yanfeng Visteon Automotive Interiors, Shizuki Kajiyama.

While Nanjing's Li-Chih Fu explained that in a market so new "all cars are a luxury" - China had no private car sales before 2001 - it was moving at such a pace that design will play an increasingly important role in differentiating products. Ford's Martin Smith emphasised how China is already influencing the rest of the world, with several design changes to the new global Mondeo made specifically because of Chinese customer requirements. Regarding eco-friendly design', Citroen's project manager Mark Lloyd outlined the need for an image change for green car design - from the 20th century 'mechanical machine' with roaring engine and big wheels to a 21st century technical object that is more sensuous, intelligent and naturally, clean.

These were just some of the highlights of the successful two-day event. With conservative estimates predicting that the Chinese market will overtake America's by 2020, this inaugural Interior Motives China conference is the first of many.