There’s a relatively new company called Zeekr that is making waves in the electric vehicle (EV) industry. Owned by Geely, the same company that owns Volvo, Zeekr is known for its premium EVs with edgy and extravagant designs. This trend of pushing boundaries in vehicle design is not unique to Zeekr but is seen across many other Chinese brands as well.

Porsche, a renowned European automaker, sees this new design trend as a positive development in the industry. Michael Mauer, Porsche’s head of design, acknowledges that it is changing the game for the generally more conservative legacy automakers in Europe.

In a recent interview with Bloomberg, Mauer expressed his appreciation for the innovative approach of these Chinese startups. He believes that their lack of heritage allows them to think and do things differently, which ultimately leads to more open-minded decision-makers, such as the management board.

However, the challenge for legacy automakers like Volkswagen and Porsche is to successfully transition their iconic nameplates into the new era of personal mobility. They now face competition from new arrivals like Zeekr, Nio, Li Auto, Xpeng, and other Chinese companies. Mauer compares the process to throwing a stone into the future, where finding the right balance between innovation and staying true to the brand’s essence is essential.