Chris Bangle is one of the most influential car designers of the 21st century. He quit BMW in 2009 to set up his own independent design studio in Turin, Italy, but remains an important voice in the industry.

Bangle thinks that car designers are stuck in a phase he describes as "mannerism". They are relying on much the same approaches and elements they have in the past.

In an Interview with Automotive News Europe, the designer says that the auto industry's inability to look at itself objectively is stifling progress.

“There is a real need for a change and that's just not happening,” Bangle said, adding that many designers talk about innovation, but nobody is really doing it. “Even concept cars today simply anticipate the next production model coming down the line. Is this innovation? No. And at the end of the day this is what's preventing car design from moving into a new era,” the designer said.

What do you think? Are we stuck at a phase? Is there even a phase to begin with?