Mobility Design Conference

Adobe Substance 3D revolutionizes automotive design with an end-to-end 3D ecosystem. Designers can create procedural materials with Substance 3D Designer, capture real-life samples with Substance 3D Sampler, paint textures onto 3D assets in real-time with Substance 3D Painter, and render studio shots with Substance 3D Stager.

With a library of 23,000+ ready-to-use assets, seamless connection with Creative Cloud, and integrations with a large ecosystem of 3D apps, teams can build hyper-realistic digital twins faster, at lower cost, and with pixel-perfect accuracy.

Autodesk is trusted by the world’s designers, engineers, builders, and creators to help them design and make anything. From the buildings we live and work in, to the cars we drive and the bridges we drive over. From the products we use and rely on, to the movies and games that inspire us.

Autodesk’s Design and Make Platform unlocks the power of data to accelerate insights and automate processes, empowering our customers with the technology to create the world around us and deliver better outcomes for their business and the planet. #MakeAnything. 

As leading OEM partner, BASF Coatings aims to provide innovative coating solutions that enable their customers to secure today’s manufacturing and tomorrow’s success. Reliable, efficient and sustainable. Guided by expertise and colored by innovation, BASF Coatings follows the mission to build reliable partnerships to empower their customers with coating solutions that enhance efficiency and value through sustainability.

When BASF Coatings writes success stories, they go far beyond a single shade of color. They create lasting emotional connections and elevate brand identity – through expertise, foresight and technical sophistication.

deerstreet combines strategic consulting, UX/UI expertise and digital branding to create user-centric solutions that shape the future of mobility. Specializing in innovative HMI design, they craft seamless, intuitive interfaces that enhance vehicle experiences and integrate cutting-edge techno-logy for best-in-class connectivity and usability.

Their team transforms challenges into smart practical designs that drive impact and anticipate future needs. By merging creativity with deep industry knowledge, deerstreet delivers tailored solutions that help OEMs navigate complexity, foster innovation and stay ahead in an evolving automotive landscape.

Ink Invent revolutionises automotive colour design with RheoLight™ Crystal Glass Pigments – the world’s first safety-enhancing effect pigments.

Our patented technology unlocks the creation of stunning dynamic colours while dramatically increasing vehicle visibility for both human vision and autonomous sensors.

Winner of the CES 2024 Innovation Award, RheoLight seamlessly integrates into existing paint formulations, enabling designers to achieve unlimited colour freedom without compromising safety.

Be visible, stay safe!

Kontrolka is a leading HMI design studio, trusted by 17+ global OEMs to deliver strategies, vision design, advanced HMI concepts, design systems, showcars, UX/UI, visual and 3D motion design, prototypes, and design management.

With over 9 years of experience and 100+ projects delivered, our work is already part of 25M+ vehicles worldwide.

OEMs values Kontrolka’s excellence, speed, and flexibility. From vision strategy to developer-ready assets, Kontrolka shapes the future of mobility.

Since its founding in 1930, Pininfarina has been a global symbol of Italian style, blending timeless beauty, engineering excellence, and innovation. Evolving from a small coachbuilding workshop into an international group, Pininfarina today is a leader in automotive and industrial design, architecture, and engineering services.

Beyond its celebrated expertise in car design, Pininfarina continues to pioneer in areas such as aerodynamic research – operating its own wind tunnel – and sustain-able mobility projects, from electric and hydrogen vehicles to yachts and high-speed trains.

Pininfarina’s multi-disciplinary approach has delivered over 1,450 automotive projects and 750 product and architectural designs, earning over 90 international awards in the past decade alone.

Schröter is your reliable partner for high-quality prototypes, models and moulds. With decades of experience, they combine precise craftsmanship with state-of-the-art techno-logy to bring innovative design concepts to life. Their expertise lies in the development and manufacture of detailed models and high-precision moulds that enable designers to visualise their ideas realistically and test them early in the development process.

Schröter understands the requirements of the automotive industry: fast implementation, maximum accuracy and flexibility. Whether concept cars, interior designs or exclusive surfaces – at Schröter, they focus on creative collaboration and technical excellence.

Ultrafabrics set the standard in high-tech performance materials, blending expert craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology and a commitment to sustainable innovation. Known for our premium aesthetics and unmatched performance, Ultrafabrics offers a tactile experience that is truly one of a kind. 

As a trusted supplier across a wide range of industries, including aviation, aerospace, automotive, marine and beyond, Ultrafabrics brings a broad perspective that inspires fresh, forward-thinking approaches to material design.

Amy is currently working as a Creative Consultant (for her own limited company) within the automotive, sustainability, material technology start ups and higher education sectors. 

Prior to this Amy was part of Bentley Design (for a short period) and Jaguar Land Rover Design, where she held a number of Senior leadership positions both within Design and in a recently expanded dual role that crafted and realised the formation of a thought leadership incubator within Business Strategy & Sustainability. 

Before joining JLR, Amy held Design roles at Hyundai & Kia Motors and numerous automotive suppliers.

Antonio is a recognised CATIA/3DEXPERIENCE Champion and Blender expert with over 15 years of experience in automotive design and digital modeling.

His passion for 3D began at the age of 13 when he started modeling in Blender as a hobby. Born in Naples, he began working professionally at 18 as a CATIA user, designing ambulance spoilers and surface components for trains and ships. After a period at Stile Bertone in Turin, he moved to Germany at 21 to join Audi Interior Design, later contributing to Audi Sitz-Strak and BMW Motorrad.

Since 2016, he has been CAS Expert at NIO, working on both exterior and interior concepts, and co-leading the Polylab – a research group dedicated to advanced modeling workflows. He is also a software development advisor for Dassault Systèmes and T-Systems, and founder of a AAA game art studio serving clients such as Microsoft Games.

His expertise includes Sub-D, polygon, NURBS/Bezier, generative and parametric modeling, 2D vector drawing, UV mapping, animation rigging, and advanced texturing. Fluent in Italian, German, English, and some Spanish.

Ben joined Lotus in 2022 and has since led the design development of the brand’s allelectric lifestyle vehicles, including the hyperSUV Eletre and the Luxury Performance GT. In August 2023, he was appointed Vice President of Design for Lotus Group, taking responsibility for the creative direction of the entire brand and ensuring design coherence, strategic alignment, and forwardthinking leadership across the Lotus brand. His remit also encompasses guiding the evolution of Lotus’ design language, building on landmark statements such as the Theory 1 concept car.  

Lotus Group has continued to follow an ambitious plan to transform the company into a luxury, intelligent mobility brand by 2028, coinciding with its 80th anniversary. Ben plays a pivotal role in shaping this next generation of vehicles, helping to define the future identity and design philosophy of Lotus as it enters a new era. 

With more than two decades of experience in automotive design, Ben brings a wealth of expertise from influential roles at Aston Martin and Bugatti, complemented by diverse consultancy work with Makkina. His background positions him at the forefront of Lotus’ transformation, guiding the brand’s creative vision with both heritage awareness and progressive ambition. 

Benjamin is Head of Design at Daimler Truck Asia, responsible for multiple brands across the group.

Previously Chief Designer at Foton and Borgward, and Design Manager at Mercedes-Benz Technology Group, he brings over two decades of global design experience.

Having lived in the US, Germany, Taiwan, and Japan, Benjamin blends international insight with a sharp eye for future mobility.

He has been in charge of a wide range of production and concept vehicles—cars, trucks, buses, and next-gen mobility solutions.

He’s driven by the fast-paced transformation of the industry and energized by the opportunity to shape brands through powerful, visionary design.

Bozhena is CMF Director at AVATR and a globally recognized design leader.

For the past six years, she has been pivotal in building the brand from the ground up, establishing Color, Material & Finish as a core pillar of AVATR’s premium identity. She leads international CMF teams across Asia and Europe, shaping a design language that defines the brand’s positioning and future vision.

Previously, Bozhena was Head of CMF at Genesis in Seoul, where she helped create the brand from inception and positioned it as a leader in progressive luxury. Earlier, at Mercedes-Benz, she contributed to flagship production models and advanced show cars exploring the future of luxury mobility.

She holds a Master’s in Textile Design from Reutlingen University, with additional studies at the Academy of Fine Arts Stuttgart.

With a proven record in building brands, leading global teams, and merging creativity with strategic innovation, Bozhena continues to shape the future of CMF design.

Christian is one of the leading voices in experience innovation and the future of mobility. As the founder of NXT NXT, he helps companies and brands move beyond incremental change — translating complexity into clarity and emerging technologies into emotionally resonant, future-ready experiences.

He previously served as Chief Experience Officer at icon group, co-leading the world’s most influential mobility design company from Los Angeles, with oversight across the U.S. and Asia.

Before that, he built and led the Digital Product & UX/UI team at Faraday Future, where he helped pioneer a fully integrated user experience — redefining how digital mobility is designed and felt across every touchpoint.

His career began at BMW Group, before he played a pivotal role in scaling icon incar into a global leader in automotive UX, setting new standards long before “software-defined vehicles” became an industry mantra.

Christian is known for his future-forward mindset, cross-disciplinary thinking, and ability to fuse design, strategy, and technology — shaping what’s next across the mobility ecosystem and beyond.

Christian is Head of Design Strategy at Volkswagen. With more than two decades of experience in automotive design, he plays a key role in shaping the strategic future of the brand.

Before returning to Volkswagen in 2024, Christian held senior leadership roles at Bentley Motors, including Head of Design Operations and Head of Design Engineering.

Earlier in his career, he worked at the Volkswagen Design Center in Potsdam, where he contributed to numerous iconic projects.

Christian combines a deep understanding of design with a strong focus on innovation and long-term brand development.

Derek is the Senior Vice President of Design and Brand at Lucid. In this role, Derek oversees all design developments, including exterior and interior design, user experience, color and material, accessories, and the overall design strategy.

Derek also spearheads Lucid’s brand creative and brand strategy. Before joining Lucid, Derek was the Director of Design at Mazda North America Operations where he oversaw all design developments locally and globally. He was the lead or contributing designer to the 2016 MX-5 Miata, Shinari Concept, CX-5, Mazda6, Mazda3, and the 2017 CX-9.

Prior to his tenure with Mazda, Derek spent nine years as the Chief Designer for Volkswagen North America, credited with the Scirocco concept, Ragster, Microbus concept, Concept T, and more. Prior to Volkswagen, Derek spent eight years with Audi, serving first as Lead Exterior Designer, followed by Assistant Chief Designer for Audi Design. He was the principal exterior designer of the A2 concept and production cars, as well as the 2002 Audi A8.

Derek holds a B.S. from the Art Center College of Design in Transportation Design.

Florian is Partner at deerstreet-experience GmbH, where he focuses on creating the foundations for holistic experiences across physical and digital touchpoints.

With a background in business administration and international management, Florian brings a different perspective to the UX and design world – emphasizing structures, processes and organizational efficiency as key enablers of creativity.

He has held roles at Mercedes-AMG and Konzepthaus, gaining broad experience in strategy, innovation and consulting.

Today, Florian advises clients across industries on building the frameworks that enable user-centric design to thrive. His mission is to combine business logic with human-centered design to deliver impactful, scalable solutions.

Guang is a design expert at Diconium, a subsidiary of Volkswagen Group IT, with extensive experience in the automotive and digital sectors.

Trained as an industrial designer, he has worked with global brands like Lenovo, Samsung, and Thalia. Currently, Guang’s research focuses on understanding the diverse consumer and user needs between the EU and China, driven by factors such as history, digital ecosystems, social and economic norms, and lifestyles.

His expertise spans across HMI, user experience, and software-defined vehicles, with a strong emphasis on bridging cultural and market differences between Europe and China.

Trained as a classic men’s tailor, Heiko began his career with a strong foundation in craftsmanship and precision.

After completing his tailoring education, Heiko chose to deepen his knowledge by returning to study, expanding his perspective beyond traditional fashion. This path led him into the sports industry, where he spent many years in a variety of roles, gaining valuable cross-functional experience in performance, lifestyle, and product innovation.

Eventually, Heiko returned to his roots in premium fashion, working with luxury bags and accessories – merging traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design.

Today, Heiko brings this diverse background to his role as Vice President of Design and Innovation at PUMA, where he helps shape the future of sport and style.

Ivo first joined Porsche in 2014 as Director of Interior Design, managing the interior design teams for advanced, production, colour & trim, studio engineering, and UX/UI design across all car lines.

In 2020, he took on the role of Director UX/UI Design, leading the driver experience design teams in various aspects – from strategy to art direction and design systems, as well as innovation and prototyping. In his current role, Ivo also creates next-generation hardware and software designs for all car lines.

Previously, the industry expert held a senior design role at Opel/GM Europe as Chief Designer Interior Components, overseeing interior component- and HMI-design teams, and created advanced- and production-designs as Interior Designer at Audi.

Ivo began his career through various internships with key players such as Audi, Fiat, Pininfarina, and Sabic, gaining valuable international experience in the automotive sector.

A graduate in Product Design from the Design Academy Eindhoven, Ivo continues to demonstrate his passion for fostering open, creative environments that produce modern, timeless designs and user experiences that positively transform brand perception.

Today, Jean-Arthur directs all Design matters as Head of Design at Xiaomi EV.

For the last two decades, he has brought his outstanding expertise in both Interior and Exterior Design, CMF and UI & UX to some of the biggest names in the automotive industry:

▪ Former Polestar – Head of Interior Design
▪ Former Citroën – Head of interior Design
▪ Former Tesla – Senior Designer
▪ Former Mercedes – Lead Designer
▪ Former Peugeot – Design Project Manager
▪ Former Mini – Senior Designer
▪ Former BMW – Senior Designer
▪ Former DesignWorks – Senior Designer
▪ Former Mercedes – Junior Designer
▪ Former Audi – Junior Designer
▪ Former Saab – Junior Designer
▪ Former Renault – Junior Designer

Joshua is a Senior Interior Designer with experience at Alpine Cars and Ford, where he contributed to production and concept vehicles as well as strategic brand development projects.

He has gathered international experience in studios across Europe and Asia, and is now dedicating part of his time to research on how AI and new digital tools could transform the design field.

With a background that combines practical automotive design and an openness to experimentation, he brings a perspective rooted in both hands-on work and forward-looking curiosity.

Julie joined Toyota Europe Design Development studio (ED²) in 2008.

In 2015 and 2016, she broadened her international experience by joining Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan, where she worked within the colour group headquarters as a specialist overseeing projects for the European market.

She led the CMF development of the Toyota Yaris, which was awarded “Car of the Year 2021”, as well as the CMF of the new Yaris Cross.

In recognition of her contributions to the automotive industry, she was named a Rising Star 2021 by Automotive News Europe.
Today, Julie focuses on experimental and advanced vehicle colour conception, as well as the development of sensory experiences through colour, materials, and finishes (CMF) for both European and global Toyota and Lexus models, including the new C-HR and new Corolla.

Deeply rooted in both French and German cultures, Julie considers herself truly European. She studied arts in Paris at two prestigious institutions: École Boulle and École Duperré.

Laetitia is currently a Color Material and Finish Freelance Senior Designer. She has led and managed a high performing team of CMF designers, covering mass production and commissioned orders.

Laetitia has an international background with experience in France, Germany, USA and Italy and started her career at the automotive supplier Faurecia before joining General Motors where she worked on Opel, Hummer and Cadillac programs. Her most significant project has been the Cadillac Celestiq which drove her to win the Eyes on Design CMF Award 3 years in a row.

Laetitia started her career studying industrial design specializing in art and luxury design in Paris. She is originally from Hyeres, France, and has a master’s degree (Honors) in Design and Management from Creapole ESDI, France.

Linda holds a Master of Industrial Design (300hp) from Lund University, Sweden, with a specialization in usability (2004). Her career spans 20 years across two major industries: 10 years in mobile phones and 10 years in heavy trucks. She began as an usability specialist and continued in Design Management and Product Planning, including an expat assignment in Taiwan during the mobile phone industry’s expansion (2007–2008).

After relocating to Stockholm and joining Huawei in 2009, she transitioned to the heavy vehicle sector in 2014, starting as a Senior Ergonomics Specialist at Scania. Since then, she has held senior and managerial roles in R&D (Cab and Electrical/Electronics) and Technology Research. From 2020 to 2025, she led Scania’s Industrial Design and HMI section, managing 56 employees and over 100 consultants.

Her core competencies include strategic scenario planning, navigating complex priorities, and building strong professional networks. She is recognised for her persistent optimism and creativity in leadership and design.

Prof. Lutz Fügener began his academic career at the Technical University of Dresden, completing a foundational course in mechanical engineering. He then went on to study industrial design at the Burg Giebichenstein University of Art and Design in Halle/Saale, Germany, graduating in 1995. That same year, he joined the Berlin-based design firm Fisch & Vogel Design as a junior partner. Over time, the studio—now operating under the name studioFT—has become increasingly specialized in transportation design. In 1997, Fügener was made senior partner and co-owner.

In 2000, he was appointed Professor of Transportation Design and 3D Design at Pforzheim University, where he has since chaired the renowned Bachelor’s program in Transportation Design.

In 2021, Fügener took on the responsibility for the newly established Design & Mobility degree program at Hof University, which focuses on educating the next generation of vehicle designers. Beginning in 2025, he will also teach in the new Master’s course AIAMD (Artificial Intelligence Aided Mobility Design), where he will explore the integration of AI into the design process in depth.

Beyond academia, Fügener is also a prolific writer and commentator, contributing to newspapers, magazines, and online platforms on the intersection of design and mobility.

Mark is a leading global trend forecaster for the automotive industry on colours, materials and finishes.

Working as global head of design at BASFs Coatings Division with a long experience in design, forecasting and colour consulting, he has an eye to spot the unusual, but impactful new stuff that will amaze you.  Mark is a trained designer with a degree at the KISD in Cologne, and with experience in various industries – from furniture and product design to consulting projects.

He worked for organisations worldwide and is a highly recognised expert and speaks internationally. 

With over two decades in interaction design – 13 of them at KISKA – Michal has shaped seamless, highly customised user experiences across mobility, two-wheel, and consumer products.

His work ensures that every interaction is intuitive, distraction-free, and built for real-world performance.

At KISKA, usability is non-negotiable. In space- limited environments, every detail counts.

Michal designs interfaces that strip away complexity and deliver absolute precision at a glance – where every decision, every pixel, drives clarity and impact.

Nisha is responsible for defining the color and materials for Audi, with an overarching perspective to bring visionary storytelling, aesthetics and innovation in alignment with the brand identity.

With a background in Industrial Design, Nisha started her journey in 2012, at Tata Motors Design in India, where she collaborated on projects like the Tata Nexon, Tata Harrier & Tata Aria.

Her strong desire to learn about different cultures and experiences brought her to Beijing in 2018 at Audi China, where she collaborated on China specific models like the A7L, Q6 along with concept cars like the Urbansphere.

Now, based in the main studio in Ingolstadt, Audi Germany, she recently worked on the AUDI E concept, coordinating the curation with Audi Design, Beijing.

For nine years, Owen has led Volvo Cars’ design strategy, operating at the intersection of design, brand, business and product planning.

As Head of Design Strategy, he works closely with creative and executive leadership to define the company’s overall design direction, while also shaping briefs for production and concept vehicles.

His team combines customer insight, market intelligence and design methodologies to ensure Volvo’s design work reflects both long-term strategic goals and the realities of a changing industry.

Before joining Volvo Cars, Owen worked as a design strategy consultant and automotive journalist, including a role as Editor of Car Design News.

With a background spanning consultancy, editorial and OEM leadership, he brings a unique perspective on how design can influence not just products, but the companies behind them.

Pierre leads Growth for Adobe’s 3D & Immersive organisation, driving global adoption of 3D and Digital Twin technologies across industries.

With over 15 years of experience in 3D, product strategy, partnerships, and market development, he’s passionate about bridging creativity and technology.

Before joining Adobe via Allegorithmic, he spent nearly eight years at Dassault Systèmes working on CATIA and Digital Twin adoption in industrial design and automotive.

Philipp is responsible for leading People & Organisation at Kia Europe’s Design Center, working with design leadership to establish modern people management practices, build development frameworks, and introduce new processes that support creativity and collaboration.

After studying in Germany and the UK, he earned his Master’s degree in Human Resource Management from Manchester Metropolitan University.

After six years in the tech industry at Apple, he joined Kia Europe in 2022 and, after just six months, transitioned to the Design Center to take on the lead function.

His role focuses on partnering with Design Teams and Management to create structures and growth opportunities that help teams thrive in a fast-moving, innovative design environment.

Philipp joined Polestar as the Global Head of Design in January 2025 to further shape the future design of the Swedish electric, performance car brand. He studied transportation design at Pforzheim University and received a scholarship from Volkswagen AG.

With over 25 years of experience in automotive design, Philipp brings deep expertise to Polestar. He joined the company from Audi AG, where he held various roles, most recently as Head of Exterior Design. Prior to his time at Audi, he was a leading designer at Volkswagen AG.

Being a car enthusiast at heart, Philipp aims to enhance the performance character of Polestar through dynamic, yet unique and innovative design.

Quirin is a 3D visualisation specialist with over 15 years of experience in the automotive industry. He blends design expertise with technical know-how, working across photorealistic renderings, animations, real-time presentations, and immersive VR experiences.

After earning his degree in Industrial Design, he gained broad experience through diverse client projects and quickly moved into project and team leadership roles. This opened the door to building the visualisation team from the ground up at EV startup Byton.

Since 2021, Quirin has led the visualisation team for the ONVO brand (NIO), focusing on delivering high-quality visual assets and streamlined workflows for his team – always aiming to maintain flexibility and speed in a fast-paced design environment. In addition to his creative work, he develops custom tools to accelerate processes and bring new technologies into practice.

Raphael travels the world with a singular question in mind: What will the nature of knowledge work look like in five or ten years? Each year, he visits more than 100 companies, startups, universities, and research institutions across the U.S., Europe, and Asia. He shares his insights and experiences on stages at conferences, festivals, and events in over 20 countries annually.

Knowledge work is undergoing the greatest transformation in its short history, forcing organizations to design the future while navigating the present. Where will we work tomorrow, with whom, how – and above all, on what? These are the questions that drive him every day.

Known for his insatiable curiosity and provocative perspective, Raphael often challenges conventional thinking. When not on the road, he lives with his family on a small farm near Regensburg, surrounded by horses, ponies, cats, dogs, and a youth community – grounded in nature while thinking far ahead.

Richard’s passion for automotive design was sparked by a variety of influences including but not limited to the IMSA Audi 90 GTO, Porsche 928, Mercedes C111, and Lancia Stratos.

His automotive career began at GM Design in 2000 and continued until 2007. In 2007 Rich joined Hyundai Motor Group and continues his work there today. For both companies he had the opportunity to work overseas in their satellite studios. For GM he spent 3 years in the UK and for Hyundai Motor Group he spent just over 2 years in the Genesis Design Studio in Germany.

He is a firm believer in Hyundai’s vision for the future of mobility and is proud to support this mission through his current role as Chief of Design Innovation for Studio X.

With over 18 years of experience in the automotive industry, Ruben’s career has been shaped by a deep passion for innovation, a user-centered mindset, and a global perspective gained through roles across Europe and North America.

He currently serves as Head of UX/UI Design at SEAT & CUPRA, where he leads with strategic vision by merging design, technology, and business insight to shape the future of user experience.

Ruben began his journey at SEAT in Spain, progressing from interface designer to spearheading major digital transformation initiatives. His international path continued in Silicon Valley at the Volkswagen Group of America, where he worked on future mobility concepts, exploring new interaction models and developing technology driven experiences for global markets.

He later assumed a global leadership role at Polestar in Sweden, where he led UX design across the product portfolio. Among other accomplishments, he launched the award-winning Polestar 4 HMI and the Polestar Phone, specifically designed for the Chinese market.

With a career defined by innovation and international scope, Ruben continues to push the boundaries of mobility and design. Beyond crafting seamless user experiences, he is reimagining how people interact with technology on the move and driving human centered solutions for the future of digital mobility.

Sam is a car design strategist. His expertise is in the ways that car design brings value to customers and how brands can harness this.

As principal of the consultancy Car Design Research, he works with design leadership of renowned car companies including Toyota, Bentley, Polestar, Hyundai, Pininfarina, Ford, Honda, Stellantis, Nio, Volkswagen Group, McLaren, Kia, MG, and Volvo — and other mobility and consumer tech brands.

His work includes authoring future creative visions and strategies with Design VPs and CCOs, trend presentations to international design teams, design audits, concept ideation, coaching and other retainer support.

Sam is also a Visiting Professor in Intelligent Mobility Design at the Royal College of Art, and a judge for several design awards including iF Design.

Blending strategic vision with hands-on design expertise, Sidney bridges the physical and digital worlds to create meaningful, user-centred experiences.

With a background in automotive design and deep experience across mobility, tech, and industrial sectors, he takes a holistic approach—from product consideration to disposal—crafting scalable solutions that drive both brand and business impact.

Sidney’s most recent position was heading one of the design teams at Amazon Smart Vehicles.

He has also worked for Changan, Volvo Construction Equipment, and McKinsey, and has contracted with General Motors, Volkswagen, BMW, and others.

Tobias Suehlmann is a distinguished and visionary automotive designer with a career spanning some of the most iconic names in the industry.

After his diploma with Mercedes-Benz from Pforzheim University, he started his career at Volkswagen, where he played a pivotal role in shaping the design direction of several key models and showcars.

His talent and creative leadership took him to Bugatti, where he served as Head of Creative Exterior Design, before moving on to Aston Martin as Head of Exterior Design. There Tobias led the design of several landmark projects.

Following a successful tenure as Chief Designer for Special Projects at McLaren—where he oversaw the groundbreaking Solus GT—Tobias was appointed Director of Design at Bentley.

In 2023, Tobias returned to McLaren as Chief Design Officer and member of the executive team. In this role, he redefined McLaren’s design language, establishing a new visual DNA for the brand, realized through a striking internal show car.

Tobias’s extensive experience across the full spectrum of the automotive world from high-volume production vehicles to ultra-exclusive one-offs and his deep understanding of diverse design cultures makes him one of the most versatile and accomplished design leaders in the automotive industry today. 

Thomas is the Head of Design Operations at AVATR GDC in Munich.

In this role, he oversees multiple sub-departments and drives seamless collaboration across teams. Before joining AVATR, he held leadership positions at NIO Design and BMW Group Design.

His expertise lies in building structures that foster both creative excellence and operational efficiency. With a career spanning from established premium OEMs to innovative new players, Thomas has become a key figure in bridging high-end design with strategic execution.

He brings extensive international experience, particularly in China, where he built strong skills in cross-cultural collaboration. This global perspective enhances his ability to contribute to AVATR’s vision to become a leading high-end premium brand.