4. sustainable materials are ready for the market - but often fail due to costs
There are already sustainable solutions ready for series production that meet technical, haptic and legal requirements. Nevertheless, their widespread implementation remains hesitant - often because economic aspects (costs, scaling) are still unresolved.

5. market India: design is a success factor - not costs alone
Indian OEMs such as Mahindra & Mahindra show that high-quality, target group-relevant design is increasingly seen as a competitive advantage in the local market - even in the lower and medium price segments. Local design strategies determine market acceptance.

6. China demands an independent design language - adaptation is not enough
In the Chinese market, it is not enough to localize existing concepts. Design must be culturally and aesthetically rethought - for example through extended comfort functions in the rear or visible material, color and light staging.

7. personalization is becoming the industry standard
Buyers are increasingly demanding individual equipment options. Materials, colors, displays and lighting must be flexibly configurable. This requires modular production and design processes and is a clear trend in all markets.

8. biophilic design promotes health and brand loyalty
Natural surfaces, textures and color schemes not only create a pleasant feeling of space, but also strengthen the emotional brand experience. Biophilic concepts combine design aesthetics with mental regeneration.

9. the future needs new evaluation standards - emotion beats technology
The focus is no longer on technical features alone, but on the subjective experience: How does the interior feel? How easy is it to operate? The industry needs to focus its innovation metrics more on user experience.

10. interdisciplinary development teams lead to innovation
Successful interior concepts are created at the interface of materials science, design, lighting technology, ergonomics and digitalization. The conference emphasized: without interdisciplinary exchange, there can be no innovation.

Interior in the automobile x InSuM 2026

Conference on vehicle interiors: innovation - experience - sustainability

The conference Interieur im Automobil x InSuM 2025 impressively demonstrated how rapidly the automotive interior is changing - from a functional driving environment to a complex, emotionally charged ecosystem of technology, design and sustainability. The vehicle interior is at the center of the automotive transformation. It is becoming a living, working and experience space - and thus a decisive differentiating factor for manufacturers and suppliers.
The Interieur im Automobil x InSuM conference will once again bring together experts from industry, design, research and start-ups in 2026 to provide new impetus for comfort, sustainability, digitalization and user experience in vehicle interiors - be there!

May 5-6, 2026 | Audi Sportpark Ingolstadt
Experience two days full of knowledge transfer, innovation and networking in a unique atmosphere.

Review 2025 - insights that rethink the interior

The 2025 edition clearly showed that the interior is no longer just a technical detail, but a strategic design space for brand identity, sustainability and emotion.
This can be seen in the following key learnings:

UX as a differentiating feature
User experience is becoming a decisive factor in brand loyalty. Inclusive, intuitive and multi-sensory concepts are moving to the center of development.

Light as an emotional interface
Immersive lighting design creates atmosphere, orientation and brand-specific experiences - an increasingly defining element of interior design.

Sustainability as a strategic core
OEMs are consistently integrating the circular economy, carbon-neutral production and durable materials into their value creation - no longer as an add-on, but as the basis of their brand strategy.

Material innovation meets cost-effectiveness
Sustainable materials are technically mature, but still face limits in terms of cost and scalability.

Global design strategies and personalization
India focuses on affordable premium design, China on culturally independent aesthetics - both show that local identity and individualization are key factors.

Biophilic design & emotion
Natural materials, color and lighting concepts promote well-being and brand loyalty. The interior becomes an emotional experience space.

Interdisciplinarity as a driver of innovation
Successful concepts are created at the interface of materials science, design, ergonomics, software and haptics - real innovation only comes about through interaction.

2026 - Looking ahead

The upcoming issue builds on these findings and opens up new perspectives: How can sustainability, technology, emotion and economy be combined in the future? What role will the interior play in the mobility of tomorrow?

You can look forward to inspiring keynotes, specialist presentations, practical workshops and exciting exchange formats with experts from all areas of automotive value creation. The full program will be published in early 2026.

Register for the event directly here:

To registration

Would you like to present your interior solutions on site? Apply for one of our limited exhibition offers:

To the exhibitor registration

Due to federal funding, participation on the first day, May 5, 2026, is free of charge for you.

The event will be accompanied by a trade exhibition where companies will present their technologies, products and services in an innovation-oriented environment.

This price includes the following services:

Basic infrastructure for your stand:

• Exhibition business/research organization and university/authority: Area 6m² (3x2m), power connection, 1 table, 2 chairs
• Start Up exhibition: area 1m² (1x1m), power connection, 1 high table, pitch

• Organizational support by employees of Bayern Innovativ GmbH
• 2 exhibitor passes (incl. participation in the cooperation forum, catering). The full participation fee will be charged for each additional exhibitor pass.

The event will take place at
Audi Sportpark Ingolstadt
Am Sportpark 1
85053 Ingolstadt

Click here for directions

If you are traveling by car, there are plenty of parking spaces available on site.