[ImolaYellow]

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.d...s-auto-design-is-stuck-in-a-rut#axzz2dStcp7RY

The auto industry's inability to look at itself objectively is stifling progress, says Chris Bangle, the influential BMW design guru who left in 2009 to establish his own independent design studio.

In an interview with Automotive News Europe Bangle said car designers are stuck in a phase he terms "mannerism," relying on much the same approaches and elements that they have in the past.

"There is a real need for a change and that's just not happening," he said.

In Bangle's opinion, many designers talk about innovation, but nobody is really doing it.

"Even concept cars today simply anticipate the next production model coming down the line. Is this innovation? No. And at the end of the day this is what's preventing car design from moving into a new era," Bangle said.

He said he has offers to become design director at some automakers, but has turned them down every time.

"Designing cars consumes you; it has a hold on your spirit which is incredibly powerful," he said. "It's not something you can do part time, you have do it with all your heart and soul or you're going to get it wrong."

While he loved working for BMW, he said "you have to know when to leave the party."

For the full interview, check out the September edition of Automotive News Europe's monthly e-magazine, which can be downloaded from www.autonewseurope.com starting on Monday, Sept. 2.

 

[MPWR]

I think whats holding back car makers from being innovative on a mass scale is that theres a big demand to go green and ASAP and it's going to be like this for a long time to come. Innovation will only be in high end expensive vehicles.

 

[bird]

I think whats holding back car makers from being innovative on a mass scale is that theres a big demand to go green and ASAP and it's going to be like this for a long time to come. Innovation will only be in high end expensive vehicles.

I think whats holding innovation back is money. Innovation costs money and innovation is disruptive. Its much easier and cost effective for automakers to continue bumbling down the path of bland design simply because people are still paying for it, who needs exciting and effort when drab and good enough makes the nut every time?

BMW design has gone very downhill since Bangle left. Controversial as his designs were, you noticed them...

 

[Beemer-Bammer]

I think whats holding back car makers from being innovative on a mass scale is that theres a big demand to go green and ASAP and it's going to be like this for a long time to come. Innovation will only be in high end expensive vehicles.

Very well said. that is what it's coming down to. the auto market trend is slowly turning green by the dozen. With whatever plans they have in the end they will have to make adjustments to accommodate that.

 

[Benz_n_Bimma]

I think whats holding back car makers from being innovative on a mass scale is that theres a big demand to go green and ASAP and it's going to be like this for a long time to come. Innovation will only be in high end expensive vehicles.

thankfully being green has been a good thing, just look at some of the performance hybrids, not many them have been testing hardcore but on paper cars like the P1 seem amazing.

 

[cfrp]

This guy just sounds like some crazy designer who is mad at the world.

Design and innovation?

You are talking about all those wacky concepts that never make it to production because noone likes them and just laughs at them?