"Detroit is the spiritual heart of American car design"

Car Design News is gearing up for another return to the Motor City this October. Ahead of the evening, we caught up with a few speakers to get a flavour of the discussions and why it's important to talk design in Detroit. 

"I love Detroit's storied automotive history. It's reflected everywhere in the city," notes David Marek, executive creative director at Honda/Acura. "I wanted to join the panel because I have a crazy curiosity about everything — seriously, actually everything! — so this is a great opportunity to learn different viewpoints on all the panel topics. And I get to hang out at Sweetwater Tavern..."

Jennifer Kolstad, global design and brand director at Ford Motor Company, is also excited to join the panel. "I am personally dedicated to advancing design in Detroit and moved here in 2019 to be a part of re-building the City," Kolstad says, pointing out that Detroit is "the only UNESCO Design City in North America."

"Detroit has always been the spiritual heart of American car design," adds Karma's VP of design Nicholas David, "so it’s special to be part of this conversation here."

David, Kolstad and Marek will join part of a wider panel titled "Design without borders: global minds, American identity" which will also include Scout's Chris Benjamin and Italdesign's Joaquin Garcia. The discussion will consider how international creative leaders are shaping the future of US automotive design, considering different cultural influences and thinking globally while designing locally. 

I’ve seen firsthand how global collaboration can amplify creativity when guided by a strong, authentic vision

"The idea of 'Design Without Borders' really resonates with me," notes David, "because my own career has spanned studios in the UK, Europe, China, and the US, and I’ve seen firsthand how global collaboration can amplify creativity when guided by a strong, authentic vision. I’m looking forward to exchanging ideas with other design leaders about how global thinking and local identity can coexist and sometimes hinder that identity — especially as American design enters a new era of confidence and sophistication."

For Kolstad, the topic is also pertinent given Ford's inherent scale and reach. "We are a global company with American origins, serving customers and around the world," Kolstad explains, noting that the company ethos includes "universally applicable attributes like capability, passion, community and trust... Therefore, our American identity translates universally."

Register for your space: Car Design Dialogues Detroit

Time is running out to register for the event on 21 October 2025

Within this broader topic, a key question will be how US brands can retain that core American “feel” while working on a global scale. What makes a design distinctly ‘American’? 

For Honda's Marek, words such as "bold", "expressive"and "forward-looking" come to mind. "There’s a celebration of optimism, uniqueness and personal expression," he explains. "The US is a story of freedom and self-determination, so perhaps car design and car culture is also probably deep rooted in our pioneering spirit. It can't help but inject these values into a global team."

Karma's David says it all starts with authenticity as a central value. "The most powerful designs don’t imitate, they express where they come from," he says. "For American brands, that means embracing the values that have always defined this culture: optimism, motion, freedom, and ingenuity. Our design team is truly international, but united around that distinctly American spirit of possibility. That’s how we are aiming to build vehicles through a design language that transcends borders without losing its soul."

We've built a global art collection... simultaneously connecting people to our legacy and to the horizon

Kolstad agrees that it is important to celebrate a brand's origin story: "At Ford we have at our disposal an extensive archive of museum-quality content, documenting our evolution from inception. We have built a global art collection combining historical content with forward-reaching contemporary art, simultaneously connecting people to our legacy and to the horizon."

Marek also points toward the notion of an origin story. "To me, Honda should be considered an American brand because of our early and enduring commitment to America," he says, highlighting a blend of global values: "The fusion of American boldness and Japanese refinement is a key reason why Honda has been so successful."

The evening will also include workshops with Bridge of Weir, Sekisui and Prefix which will dig into the worlds of leather, glass and concept cars respectively, as well as additional panels and rapid-fire presentations to spice things up. 

If you have already registered for Car Design Dialogues Detroit 2025, we look forward to seeing you there. If not — there is still time to get a spot.