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Car design is more an art than science.
When the early auto sales (primarily Model T) reached market saturation, GM turned to yearly design changes to maintain the sales momentum. This marketing device conditioned the American buying public to 'planned obsolescence'. They turned to early industrial designers and created in-house styling departments for their yearly restyling. In Europe however, the automobile was steeped in the coach building tradition; reliability, precision, luxury and aesthetics. Interestingly, they aesthetically developed along their nationalistic identities and cultural flair.
Most 'successful' designs have been strong & singular visions by a director/designer. They are able to 'package' all aspects of innovations in engine/chassis/production engineering and interior/exterior aesthetics.
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