India’s largest automobile manufacturer Maruti Suzuki India Limited has announced the second edition of its design competition, DesignXathon 2026, which aims to identify and nurture the next generation of automobile designers. The initiative builds on the success of its inaugural edition held in 2025 and invites students from Indian and global design institutes based in India to submit concepts for future mobility solutions.
The theme of this year’s competition challenges participants to “Imagine an iconic vehicle that Generation Z and Alpha aspire to own in 2036.” Students will be assessed on their ability to create a futuristic vehicle concept aligned with 2035-2040 mobility trends, with an emphasis on design vision, sustainability, technology integration, and relevance to the evolving lifestyles of younger consumers.
Announcing the initiative, Hisashi Takeuchi said that today automotive design goes beyond aesthetics and plays a key role in influencing customer choices through innovation and new perspectives. He noted that the first edition of the challenge highlighted the depth of design talent available in India and expressed confidence that young minds will continue to shape the future of mobility through unconventional thinking and creativity.
Maruti Suzuki said the top 25 teams shortlisted at DesignXathon 2026 will be mentored by experienced automotive design professionals. Participants will also compete for cash prizes worth up to Rs 4.5 lakh, while the top three teams will get a six-month internship opportunity in the company’s design division. Teams ranked fourth through tenth will receive recognition and will also have the opportunity to apply for internships with the automaker.
The company revealed that the inaugural edition of DesignXathon attracted over 400 students from 70 Indian and international design institutes. Last year’s winning entries came from MIT Institute of Design, VIT Vellore and Strate School of Design, while eight students are currently interning with Maruti Suzuki’s design team.
DesignXathon is part of Maruti Suzuki’s broader effort to strengthen India’s automotive design ecosystem and engage with emerging talent as the industry transitions towards new-age mobility solutions. Applications for DesignXathon 2026 are open until July 13, 2026.
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