Entrevista a

Sonia López

Color&Trim Leader en Walter Pack

Interview

Sonia López

Color&Trim Leader at Walter Pack

“We have the technology and the expertise to manage the entire production process for front grilles and display lenses in the automotive industry.”

Sonia López has returned from the Shanghai Motor Show with a long list of trends, but also with a clear business vision. The leader of the Color&Trim division is aware both of the possibilities offered by Chinese manufacturers and of Walter Pack’s strengths in the production of some of the most complex parts demanded by the sector: the large front grilles of electric cars and the cover lenses of the huge screens that preside over cockpits. Its capabilities, coupled with the organization’s sustainability efforts, put it at a competitive advantage in responding to the expected arrival of Chinese manufacturers in Europe.

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What struck you most about the Shanghai Auto Show?

The scale. It’s on another level—much larger than anything we see in Europe. And the way brands present themselves is completely different: it’s a production, almost a stage show, with music, lights, even runway-style performances alongside the cars. It makes a classic German trade-fair booth look modest by comparison.

“Autonomous vehicles are front and centre, yet the uncertainty around the future mix of electric, hybrid and combustion cars hasn’t gone away.”

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The industry has been in limbo for a while—electric, hybrid, autonomous… Do you sense any clarity now?

Honestly, no. The same questions are still there. What we do see is a much stronger push for autonomy, but that doesn’t remove the doubts about where EVs, hybrids and ICE models will settle.

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Which technologies stole the show this year?

Design-wise, interiors are visually simpler but far more high-tech. Think large touch panels, dynamic ambient lighting and premium materials in softer, warmer tones that make the cabin feel welcoming. It’s a blend of seamless tech integration and minimalist design.

“Monochromatic comfort palettes, genuine materials, indirect ambient lighting and dashboard-wide displays dominated the show.”

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From a Color & Trim perspective, what new trends did you notice?

Colours are moving away from Europe’s classics toward beige, off-white—monochrome shades that read as comfortable and even eco-friendly. Décor often mimics real materials, with light-toned woods making a comeback. Huge, free-standing displays now span the entire cockpit, and ambient lighting is indirect—designed purely to create atmosphere, not illuminate.

“Front grilles on EVs are becoming statement pieces, and Walter Pack is ideally placed to capture that market.”

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We saw sliding interior screens, AI integration, ever-flashier grilles… Which technologies impressed you most?

Definitely the front grilles on electric cars. They’ve gained huge importance, and Walter Pack has a lot of ground to capture there. Brands want those grilles to integrate evolving emblems, and many are rebranding to suit EV front ends.

“We already manufacture the lenses for the Audi Q6 and Jeep Grand Wagoneer—two projects that showcase our expertise.”

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These are large, complex parts. Does Walter Pack have the capability to produce them?

Absolutely. Their size and geometry add complexity, but we have the dedicated technology in-house. It’s a strategic path for us—it moves us from interior parts to high-impact exterior components. The same goes for cover lenses. We produce the lenses for the Audi Q6 cockpit in Barcelona and the insert lens for the Jeep Grand Wagoneer. Both grilles and lenses are areas where our know-how sets us apart.

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What did OEMs tell you they need right now?

Functionality plus a premium, realistic feel—exterior parts that don’t look or feel like plastic. They’re asking for decorative pieces with foil finishes, although materials and inks still have catching up to do. And, above all, sustainability: they want suppliers to bring real, workable eco-options.

“We’re developing high-value aesthetics with sustainable materials—and finding ways to recycle our own foil off-cuts.”

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How is Walter Pack gearing up for those demands?

We’re focused on sustainable and recycled materials. We have projects aimed at delivering high-end aesthetics using eco-friendly substrates, and we’re closing our own loop by recycling foil scraps into new parts. We’re also exploring innovative materials like bacterial cellulose, textile and plastic waste, even algae.

What did Walter Pack showcase in Shanghai?

Our priority was visibility in Asia—to show we’re competitive in the Chinese market. Labour and pricing in China are edging closer to Europe, so speed and cost efficiency matter. We highlighted our In-Mold Electronics technology, which combines decoration with integrated electronics—exactly the functional aesthetic Asian OEMs are looking for.

“Our full-service approach—from concept through Color & Trim design to mass production—is a key differentiator in Asia.”

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After seeing the competition, what’s Walter Pack’s main value proposition?

Beyond our tech capabilities, we offer an end-to-end process. We can take a concept, develop it with our Color & Trim team, and carry it through to series production—all under one roof.

“We want a foothold in China—and to be on the radar when Chinese OEMs ramp up production in Europe.”

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Is China a new growth space for Walter Pack?

Definitely. Chinese brands are already entering Europe, and we expect them to be manufacturing here within five years. We’re positioning ourselves now so they know our work and see us as partners when that happens.

Final takeaways from the show?

China is feeling the pinch too—its production capacity is oversized. There are countless local brands and models, churned out fast and at acceptable quality, though still below European standards. It’s a fascinating, rapidly shifting landscape.

How do geopolitics and tariffs play into all this?

China aims to be self-reliant, moving away from U.S. dependency and focusing on Europe to win that three-way contest. Chinese expansion into Europe is inevitable, and we’re gearing up for it.