The future of automotive experiences: A conversation with Clemens Conrad

In this episode of Catalyst, Jod Kaftan sits down with Clemens Conrad, an automotive industry solution expert at Launch by NTT DATA. Clemens brings more than fifteen years of experience across automotive, mobility and digital product design, with a career spanning North America, Europe and Japan. Jod and Clemens explore how vehicle cabins are becoming experience platforms, the role of data in personalizing mobility and what the future holds for how we move.

Highlights from the episode include:

• Personalization drives brand choice. As digital and physical experiences collide, personalization is becoming a deciding factor in vehicle purchases. Modern drivers expect experiences that adapt to them, not just better materials or hardware.
• Agents will connect the full journey. Intelligent agents are starting to link research, purchase, ownership and service into a single flow. Clemens describes a future where vehicles anticipate needs, coordinate with dealerships and remove friction without taking control away from the driver.
• Culture shapes mobility models. The U.S. is car-centric by design, built around individual ownership and self-expression. Europe prioritizes multimodal transportation with the goal of reaching everything within 15 minutes. Japan views mobility as a social responsibility rooted in efficiency and harmony. These cultural differences inform what kind of vehicles people want and how they use them.

Check out the full episode to hear Clemen’s break down some recent stats about which companies are leading the way in automotive design and innovation - some of the results might surprise you!

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Please note that the views expressed in this episode may not necessarily be those of NTT DATA.