In recent years the scenario concerning the choice of vehicle to purchase has changed as different factors now condition consumer demand such as aesthetic and sensorial aspects of the interiors, the quality of the trim, and new concepts for comfort, well-being and perceived safety, and the capacity to ‘transform' components into ‘experiences', etc..
Other factors which increasingly influence the market relate to the environment, sustainability and energy, issues which are currently driving research investments in new directions. Furthermore the global economic situation is forcing us to not only completely re-think the design of new vehicles, but also call into question the whole conventional strategy of vehicle development. Consequently we are witnessing a rapid progression from an approach concerned primarily with style to a novel concept of Advanced Design.
This new strategic approach also creates an important opportunity for profound reflection and discussion regarding all the factors which can influence the development of a design concept. By Advanced Design a new paradigm is intended which takes into account not only the formal aesthetic aspects, but also economic, perception, evolutionary and layout factors which together contribute to the definition of the product development strategy.
"Advanced Design" represents a privileged perspective, permitting a global view on all the possible variables which influence, today and in the future, the evolution of mobility in the widest sense. Effectively it represents a facilitator, translating the information from different sectors into development guidelines while creating new opportunities. In this context, fundamental is the cooperation with Universities, Research Centres, and Engineering companies in order to enable and exploit research advances directly on products.
To address these topics, the conference has been organised into four themes which will enable all issues associated with the concept of "Advanced Design" to be discussed in depth:

1. Mobility:
§ Policies and Strategies: Three key representatives will illustrate the policies concerning mobility and the environment at the Local, National and European levels, enabling the perimeter and scope of the different issues to be defined.
§ The Mobility Industry: Reflections concerning mobility from the perspective of three sectors working in parallel while being closely linked to the Automotive Industry, such as the Turin Public Transport Company, a Motorway authority, and the recently-founded company NTV for high-speed trains, enabling different aspects of alternative mobility solutions to emerge.

2. Processes:
§ Advanced design and companies: Three examples of Advanced Design within similar contexts, providing new stimuli through comparison.
§ Advanced design and schools: The topic will be addressed directly by those concerned with teaching and training, also serving to highlight the fact that new professional figures have been defined in order to respond to specific requirements which have emerged from the workplace.

3. Vision:
§ Strategic Concepts for New Vehicles: Alternative solutions with respect to the automotive vehicle, with  particular focus on sustainability and individual mobility, which integrate Advanced Design as a key element in their development.
§ Advanced Product: From the perspective of the suppliers and external consultants, working in cooperation towards the definition of new architectures using an innovative approach and responding to the need to match opportunities, scenarios and the evolutions underway regarding the concept of mobility.

4. Components:
§ Innovative components for Advanced Design: Proceeding to the detailed design and component level, demonstrating how the vehicle is now conceived holistically and how innovation, also regarding details and trim, contributes to the success of the product, considering the complete process across the entire product lifecycle.
§ Advanced On-Board Information Strategies: Taking a look at the communication systems which ‘accompany' the driver and passengers on-board the vehicle providing increasingly seamless integration.

Evidently Advanced Design is a strong enabler for discussion and cross-fertilization between the different stakeholders involved in the definition of new mobility solutions and vehicles in the widest sense