Auburn Hills Open House and SPACE D Debut

Continental Surface Solutions celebrated the grand opening of its new showroom and collaborative workspace in Auburn Hills, Michigan, with an exclusive Open House event that brought together key partners from across the automotive industry.

The event marked the North American debut of SPACE D, Continental’s visionary interior design concept that reimagines the future of mobility through the seamless integration of sustainability, functionality, and design.

Visitors representing each of our three traditional Detroit-based OEMs, plus seven different tier suppliers, attended the Open House, each spending one to two hours exploring the showroom and its many interactive product displays. Guests engaged directly with Continental experts, making the day an impactful opportunity for connection, innovation, and insight.

A Visionary Look Inside the Future of Mobility

At the center of the event was SPACE D, a bold, immersive design concept that bridges the gap between the vehicle interior and the living room. The open, lounge-like environment allows visitors to see, touch, and feel how next-generation surface materials will shape the in-vehicle experience — not just aesthetically, but functionally.

“Following on from our visionary AMBIENC3 concept and the innovative ContiHome, the time had come to merge the best of both worlds,” said Jeff Bradshaw, Head of Business Region Americas / Automotive Interior, Surface Solutions at ContiTech. “The result is SPACE D – a form of mobile oasis.”

Sustainability Starts at the Surface

Every element within SPACE D reflects Continental’s three-pillar sustainability strategy: carbon neutrality, circular economy, and high-performance innovation. With integrated surface technologies like staynu® and heatable surfaces, SPACE D demonstrates what’s possible when sustainability and smart functionality are designed into every layer.

“Our vision of the future is one that combines comfort and conscience,” added Bradshaw. “We believe true innovation honors the environment. With SPACE D, we’re giving our partners a tangible look at where the industry is headed — and inviting them to be part of it.”

A Day of Innovation, Inspiration, and Connection

Throughout the day, guests enjoyed food and refreshments, new product and technical demonstrations, and conversations with the Continental team in the brand-new Auburn Hills showroom and Co-Lab space. The event showcased not only Continental’s material innovation but also its commitment to collaboration, quality, and sustainability across the entire value chain.

The Open House set a high bar for what’s to come, reaffirming Continental Surface Solutions’ position as a leader in shaping the future of automotive interiors — where innovation meets sustainability, and design meets purpose.