Day 2 of Vehicle Tech Week Europe has seen OEMs, suppliers, designers, mobility operators, regulators, standards bodies and academia flock to Stuttgart to source new solutions, gain expert insights, and network with peers across passenger and adjacent markets at Automotive Testing Expo, Autonomous Vehicle Tech Expo and Automotive Interiors Expo.
From testing and validation to autonomy, software-defined vehicles and next-generation user experiences, Stuttgart is the destination for those looking to stay ahead of the curve.
Keep reading to see what Day 2 had to offer…
The exhibition
Thermoplastic adhesive solutions from Protechnic support efficient, clean, reliable bonding
Protechnic is displaying its thermoplastic adhesive solutions for automotive interior applications. Designed to support efficient, clean and reliable bonding, the company’s materials are suitable for use across a range of interior components where performance, consistency and process efficiency are essential. Key features include strong bonding performance, ease of application, compatibility with different substrates, and support for lightweight, high-quality interior design. “We are especially looking forward to feedback from automotive interior manufacturers, suppliers and design teams on their bonding challenges, material requirements and future application needs,” said the company’s Haili Zhou. See the thermoplastic adhesive solutions at Booth 3508.
Prototype panel service from Grafe boasts color-accurate reference samples via injection molding
Grafe is in Stuttgart to showcase its prototype panel service, demonstrating how it develops injection-molded, colour-accurate reference samples for OEM approval and series production. Representing more than 30 years of automotive interior expertise, the panels realistically replicate finished components, ensuring reproducible, production-ready color implementation. Backed by strong formulation expertise, the service supports reliable translation of design concepts into manufacturing. Grafe is engaging visitors in discussions on design trends, materials and future projects to identify collaboration opportunities. “We show how our master sample panels help bring color concepts reliably into series production,” said Kai Eckstein, key account automotive at Grafe. See the prototype panel service at Booth 3612.
New Trend Zone offers a visionary look at how design, technology and human experience redefine the vehicle cabin
Visitors are discovering the future of automotive interiors at the new Trend Zone by Khalil Design, Official Trends Partner of Automotive Interiors Expo Europe. Launching at Vehicle Tech Week Europe 2026, this immersive feature area explores six future-focused trend directions shaping the next generation of mobility design. “From intelligent textiles and bio-based materials to sensory surfaces and personalized craftsmanship, the zone is bringing emerging interior trends to life through material storytelling, color forecasting and tactile experiences,” said company founder Claudia Khalil.
InteriVision Forum
This one-day conference blended deep-dive presentations with panels to cover advanced HMI features, the cabin as a living space, combining digital, materiality and UX, and circularity. Visitors are hearing insights from experts, including Porsche Consulting, Walki Group, Valeo, Diconium (a Volkswagen Company), Changan Automobile, Geely, Stellantis, Taktilesdesign and Grewus.
Highlights included:
- Panel discussion: End-of-life vehicles – advancing circularity in interior systems (Porsche Consulting, Royal College of Art, BASF, EURECAT)
- Panel discussion: CMF design in the era of the digital cabin – How can CMF design shape the soul of the digital cabin? (Geely, Stellantis, Changan Automobile, Diconium – a Volkswagen company)
- The digital master sample: How to bring CMF design to production (Taktilesdesign)
- PaceDriven: A design and business model for the circular economy (Royal College of Art)
- All-cellulose composites: Next-generation circular materials (University of Leeds)
- Panovision awareness (Valeo)
- UX designs for advanced seating configurations (Diconium – a Volkswagen company)
Still to come tomorrow…
In-Cabin Showcase & Future Concepts
The final day of Automotive Interiors Expo Europe 2026 sees future cabin specialists explore the vision and tools shaping tomorrow’s interiors, from immersive UX and HMI concepts to processes.
Presentations and panels will include:
- IMSE enabling seamless interior lighting and intelligence (TaktoTek)
- UX, HMI and how AI innovations impact in-vehicle interaction (Stellantis)
- Digitalizing material development processes in CMF (BASF Coatings)
- Panel discussion: Future cabin concepts – SDV + adaptive cabin interiors (Frost & Sullivan, Stellantis, TactoTek, BASF Coatings)
Automotive Interiors Expo runs until tomorrow, Thursday, June 25. Click here to register for your free pass to Vehicle Tech Week Europe 2026
