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Self-Driving Cars Will “Drastically” Change Automotive Design, GM Says

Driving

The automotive industry is entering a new chapter that goes far beyond electrification. While EVs dominate today’s headlines, the rise of autonomous vehicles could reshape how cars look, feel, and function.

According to Bryan Nesbitt, General Motors’ new chief of global design, this shift is not just technical—it’s deeply human.

The Next Big Transition in Mobility

Nesbitt believes autonomous driving represents one of the most dramatic transitions in automotive history. He compared it to the early 1900s when drivers struggled to leave horses behind. To help bridge that emotional gap, companies even sold horse-head ornaments for cars. For him, that quirky detail highlights how major technological shifts also demand cultural adaptation.

“This next era is significant because autonomy will influence human behavior as much as technology itself,” Nesbitt explained. He added that true innovation must go beyond mechanics—it must integrate artfully into daily life.

Rethinking the Car Interior

GM Buick Electra Orbit concept interior

Instagram | @alaric_li | GM showcases the Buick Electra Orbit concept as a vision of future car interiors.

Concept cars have long teased futuristic designs, often featuring lounge-like interiors with movable seats, tables, and even greenery. While they capture imagination, Nesbitt acknowledges that such layouts may not suit every driver. Daily commutes are often personal, and not everyone wants a social setting on the road.

Still, he sees value in rethinking how passengers interact with vehicles. If driving becomes optional, designers must balance function, comfort, and emotion in ways never seen before. The challenge lies in creating cars that people can still connect with, even if they no longer control the wheel.

The Emotional Bond with Cars

One of the toughest questions is whether people can remain emotionally invested in vehicles that operate themselves. For decades, driving has represented freedom, control, and even identity. Removing that element may weaken the bond between people and machines.

Yet Nesbitt insists that design has the power to rebuild that connection. By focusing on “the total experience,” he believes autonomous vehicles can still evoke strong feelings. Thoughtful interiors, seamless tech, and personalized features may define the future relationship between humans and cars.

Lessons from Electric Vehicles

The shift to EVs already shows how design can change when old limitations disappear. Without engines or transmissions, designers enjoy greater flexibility. Yet many EVs face criticism for looking bland or too similar—often compared to jellybeans.

This, Nesbitt argues, proves that technology alone cannot drive consumer excitement. Design must add value in ways people can see and feel. Only then can new mobility concepts win acceptance. As he puts it, “artful integration” is everything.

What Lies Ahead

GM Buick Electra Orbit concept car

Instagram | @generalmotorsdesign | Self-driving cars will soon change transportation, making car interiors more like living spaces.

Over the next two decades, self-driving cars could completely redefine transportation. Car interiors may feel more like living spaces, while exteriors evolve to reflect new purposes. But the key question remains: will people still love their cars when they no longer drive them?

Nesbitt seems confident that they will—if designers succeed in weaving technology into experiences that resonate emotionally and practically. The future of mobility, in his view, is less about machines and more about the human connection they create.

Autonomy will not just change how cars operate—it will transform how people relate to them. Design must rise to the challenge by making technology personal, meaningful, and seamlessly useful. With the right vision, self-driving vehicles can inspire just as much passion as the cars of today—while offering new levels of comfort and convenience.

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