Designers and artists discuss autodesign and Chinese culture at the event.[Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Germany is well known for its automotive industry worldwide, while China is renowned for its distinctive culture，so what would happen when those two elements come together?

Themed "German Auto Design in China - Secret of Success?", a special seminar was held at the German Embassy in Beijing. Celebrated auto designers from three top German car companies and a young Chinese artiest discussed and explored industrial design under Chinese cultural and social contexts on the night of Dec 2.

Steffen Kohl, head of Global Advanced Design for Mercedes-Benz; Simon Loasby, director of the Volkswagen group design China Shanghai; Gerhard Steinle, director of Shanghai Studio of DesignworksUAS for BMW group and Ma Jun, a famous young Chinese artist, attended the discussion, with well-known Sinologist Michael Kahn-Ackermann acting as host. Representatives from culture circles and the media also participated in the event.