Goa: The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) successfully organised the SIAM Styling and Design Conclave, marking its 20th edition, along with the 18th Automotive Design Challenge (ADC) in Goa.
The SIAM Styling and Design Conclave was held under the theme “Collaborative Creativity: Building India’s Mobility Design Ecosystem” and brought together leading automobile designers, industry experts, and academicians to deliberate on the evolving role of automotive styling and design in India.
The SIAM Styling and Design Conclave highlighted the growing importance of aesthetics, form, and overall vehicle experience across segments, alongside changing consumer expectations.
Discussions centred on how automotive styling and design are becoming integral to differentiation, sustainability, and functionality in modern mobility solutions.
The conclave also emphasised the need to strengthen India’s design capabilities through closer collaboration between industry, academia, and the design community.
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As part of the SIAM Styling and Design Conclave, SIAM launched its White Paper titled “Evolution of Automotive Design in India,” outlining the journey and transformation of automotive design practices in the country.
The Automotive Design Challenge (ADC) continued to serve as a key platform for nurturing young talent, enabling students to present innovative design concepts aligned with future mobility needs.
This edition of ADC witnessed participation from 53 students representing design colleges across India.
SIAM Styling and Design Conclave Focuses on Strengthening India’s Mobility Design Ecosystem
Delivering the inaugural address, Prashant K Banerjee, Executive Director, SIAM, stated that meaningful mobility solutions emerge from the convergence of sustainability, desirability, and affordability, stressing that these pillars must work together to address local needs while aligning with environmental priorities.
G Sathiyaseelan, Chairman, SIAM Styling & Design Group and Design Director, Ashok Leyland, underscored that user experience must be rooted in empathy and a solution-driven mindset, with a focus on gender-sensitive transportation and improved last-mile connectivity to enable inclusive mobility solutions.
Andreas Kurbos, Founder and CEO, StudioKurbos GMBH, highlighted that India’s design identity can gain stronger global resonance by drawing from its rich cultural legacy.
He emphasised the importance of co-creating distinctive user experiences and strengthening design education as design tools become increasingly democratised.
SIAM Styling and Design Conclave: Driving Meaningful Action across the Ecosystem
Saurabh Singh, Co-Chairman, SIAM Styling & Design Group and Senior Vice President (Design & Modeling), Maruti Suzuki India Ltd., added that emotionally engaging and thought-provoking dialogue is essential for shaping India’s automotive future and driving meaningful action across the ecosystem.
The first session of the SIAM styling and design conclave featured insights on the evolving role of automotive styling and design, focusing on integrating aesthetics with functionality, material innovation, sustainability, and design-led differentiation.
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Speakers included Rajesh Gogu, Vice President – Design, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd.; P Sanjeev, Founder & CEO, E3 Electric; Shweta Kulkarni, India & Asia Pacific Lead (Polymer & Bio-Sourced), Stellantis; Debidutt Gharai, Group Manager, Royal Enfield; and Dr Vinay Kumar Kaushik, General Manager, Mankiewicz.
The second session explored next-generation automotive styling and design, with industry leaders sharing perspectives on innovation, creative thinking, and emerging trends shaping future vehicle design.
Speakers included Ajay Jain, Head of India Design Studio, Tata Motors Ltd.; Ferdinand Klauser, Global Partner & Managing Director Asia, Kiska; Dinesh Raman, Design Director, Kiska; Shashwath Bolar, Head of Design, Greaves Electric Mobility; and Sandeep Varma, Co-Founder, Studio 34.
The third session, a panel discussion titled “Inculcating Design Thinking for Creative Solutions,” emphasised embedding design thinking into automotive development and fostering collaboration between industry and academia.
Moderated by Anuj Prasad, CEO, Desmania, the panel included Prof. Thomas Dal, Director-Dean, Strate School of Design; Harish CB, Faculty, Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design and Technology; G Sathiyaseelan; Saurabh Singh; and Mr Teofilo Plaza Garcia, Head – Industrial Design Studio, Hero MotoCorp.
The final round evaluation of the Automotive Design Challenge was conducted during the conclave, where the top 10 students were felicitated.
Chanakya Asangi from Strate School of Design was announced as the second runner-up, Mr Aman Mujawar from IIT Delhi as the first runner-up, and Akshit Salunkhe from Ajeenkya DY Patil University as the first prize winner.
The SIAM styling and design conclave concluded with an interactive session between design students and design professionals, encouraging knowledge exchange and industry exposure for emerging designers.
