Could automation help the resurgence of traditional design houses?

Throughout the 20th century, specialist design houses set the trends in automotive design. Automakers were more concerned with technical performance than aesthetics, outsourcing the external and interior design of their models to studios that excelled in the art of creating beautiful cars. The Italians led the way in conceptualising some of history’s most iconic vehicles. Pininfarina partnered with Ferrari in 1951, helping to define the luxury carmaker’s brand identity for decades. Zagato’s aerodynamic Gran Turismo bodies dressed Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin and Jaguar vehicles, and Bertone made automotive history by teaming up with Lamborghini to create the Miura, the world’s first supercar.