The Concept Behind Concept Cars: What’s the Point?

If you've ever been to a motor show, you've probably seen a concept car or two. Designed to stand out, these one-off designs are often ultra-futuristic, equipped with never-before-seen tech and features, and most unfortunate of all, will likely never see the end of the production line.

So what's the point of spending millions to develop these beautiful and amazing designs if the car buying public is never going to enjoy them anyway? To understand why, it pays to know the concept car's place in the vehicle building process, which is in the earliest stages.

Concept cars and their purpose

Generally speaking, vehicle generations have a lifespan of five to six years, and so when designing a car, engineers have to create a 'long term plan' so that its main selling points remain relevant within that period. Builders go through a lengthy process of proposal, testing and elimination, trying to see what works and what doesn't. Once stakeholders are on-board with the plan, that's when the builders get into the actual detail of realizing the concept.

Here’s how the design process for a concept car goes:

  • Various teams design and plan the model
  • Designers create sketches and/or 3D images of the concept using a computer
  • Sculptors create a clay model of the car, moving from a small scale and on to larger model, possibly even a full-size one
  • The automaker shows the concept to a select group of people and conducts tests, studies and surveys to obtain input and gauge feedback
  • A working model of the concept car is built
  • The concept car makes its rounds at various auto shows to help the manufacturer decide if mass-producing the car is advisable

But more than a way to help the car manufacturer fine-tune the model to ensure a successful launch in the future, concept cars also serve a few other purposes, which sometimes have nothing to do with the car itself. Some car manufacturers use their concepts as eye candies at auto shows to attract onlookers to their pavilion and drum up interest for their current releases.

It also allows them to test the feasibility of future technologies. By showcasing their latest and most advanced features under development in their concept cars, auto makers are able to identify the direction to take with their technologies years in advance.

The end of the line for concept cars

So what happens to a concept car after its makers are done parading it at car shows? It's important to know that concept cars are far from being road-worthy. More often than not, they're only for show, which means a lot of their parts won't actually work in the real world. More than a few of the panels may even be made of clay.

And so it goes without saying that most concept cars will never be driven on the road. Thus, they can end up on display somewhere else, such as a museum or showroom. Some find their way to automotive schools for teaching purposes, while others are sold to the highest bidder. The unluckiest ones become scrap yard fodder.

Lexus LC Convertible Concept Lexus LC Convertible Concept

Read All

Featured Articles

Recommended Articles For You

Read All

Featured Cars

  • Upcoming

Car Articles From Zigwheels

  • News
  • Article Feature
  • Advisory Stories
  • Road Test
  • Toyota Tamaraw UV, Coaster units to be fielded in new HEAL project
    Toyota Tamaraw UV, Coaster units to be fielded in new HEAL project
    Cesar Miguel . Today
  • Honda Cars PH offers P260k discount for CR-V VX Turbo AWD
    Honda Cars PH offers P260k discount for CR-V VX Turbo AWD
    Cesar Miguel . Today
  • Hyundai Palisade Hybrid makes 1st public appearance at HME SM Aura
    Hyundai Palisade Hybrid makes 1st public appearance at HME SM Aura
    Paulo Papa . Today
  • BMW PH brings in all-new M5, M5 Touring PHEVs
    BMW PH brings in all-new M5, M5 Touring PHEVs
    Paulo Papa . Today
  • Grab, Move It reactivates partner programs as part of typhoon relief efforts
    Grab, Move It reactivates partner programs as part of typhoon relief efforts
    Paulo Papa . Today
  • Brands that might benefit from the new PH-US trade deal
    Brands that might benefit from the new PH-US trade deal
    Cesar Miguel . Today
  • Toyota Fortuner vs Honda CR-V vs Isuzu  mu-X: SUVs for the rainy season
    Toyota Fortuner vs Honda CR-V vs Isuzu mu-X: SUVs for the rainy season
    Paulo Papa . Jul 23, 2025
  • BYD Sealion 5 DM-i vs. the competition
    BYD Sealion 5 DM-i vs. the competition
    Cesar Miguel . Jul 23, 2025
  • Interesting police cars from around the world
    Interesting police cars from around the world
    Cesar Miguel . Jul 17, 2025
  • Affordable EV matchup: Dongfeng Nammi vs VinFast VF 5
    Affordable EV matchup: Dongfeng Nammi vs VinFast VF 5
    Cesar Miguel . Jul 16, 2025
  • Do you still need to wash your car after it rains?
    Do you still need to wash your car after it rains?
    Cesar Miguel . Jun 12, 2025
  • What should you visit first at MIAS 2025?
    What should you visit first at MIAS 2025?
    Cesar Miguel . Apr 11, 2025
  • Do you really need 4x4 for overlanding?
    Do you really need 4x4 for overlanding?
    Cesar Miguel . Mar 26, 2025
  • Number coding 2025: what you need to know
    Number coding 2025: what you need to know
    Paulo Papa . Mar 09, 2025
  • EVs still require lubrication, JAMA execs say
    EVs still require lubrication, JAMA execs say
    Paulo Papa . Mar 09, 2025
  • First drive: BYD Sealion 5 DM-i
    First drive: BYD Sealion 5 DM-i
    Cesar Miguel . Jul 21, 2025
  • Honda BR-V S CVT: all about that ‘base’
    Honda BR-V S CVT: all about that ‘base’
    Paulo Papa . Jul 09, 2025
  • Dongfeng Rich 7 4X4 Upper: ideal entry-level truck
    Dongfeng Rich 7 4X4 Upper: ideal entry-level truck
    Paulo Papa . Jul 07, 2025
  • First drive: MG ZS Hybrid+
    First drive: MG ZS Hybrid+
    Cesar Miguel . Jun 30, 2025
  • BYD eMAX 7 Superior Captain: MPV for modern families
    BYD eMAX 7 Superior Captain: MPV for modern families
    Paulo Papa . Jun 18, 2025