75 Years of Spiegel Institut – Advancing user-centered thinking through purpose, research, and new momentum

Mannheim, July 2025 – Spiegel Institut marks its 75th anniversary with a continued commitment to placing users at the heart of innovation. Since its founding in 1950, the institute has partnered with leading brands to make technology, products, and services more intuitive, inclusive, and engaging. As it honors a distinguished legacy, Spiegel Institut is also setting its sights firmly on the future: now part of Visteon Corporation — a global leader in automotive cockpit electronics and connected car technologies — the institute enters a dynamic new phase of growth and opportunity.Previously, in 2024, Spiegel Institut expanded the group's consulting services with the acquisition of Usaneers GmbH.

“Seventy-five years of experience isn’t a conclusion — it’s a springboard,” says Andreas Klein, Managing Director of Spiegel Institut Mannheim. “We remain true to our identity while expanding the scope of what we can achieve.”

From Market Psychology to a Full-Service Partner in Research & Experience

Founded in 1950 by Bernt Spiegel — a pioneer in market psychology — Spiegel Institut has grown from a specialized research firm into a full-service, interdisciplinary partner for user-centered product development. One guiding principle has remained unchanged throughout its evolution: designing technology and solutions from the user’s perspective — seamlessly connecting innovation, usability, and commercial success.

Psychologically grounded consumer research has always been a foundation of the institute’s work. Even in its early years, Spiegel Institut investigated everyday life contexts, advertising impact, decision-making behavior, and product perception — all with the aim of aligning offerings more closely with real human needs. That tradition continues today, using advanced methodologies that go far beyond conventional market research — including ethnographic, exploratory, cultural-psychological, digital, and data-driven approaches.

Today, approximately 300 employees operate across eight locations in Germany and China. The institute’s expertise is consolidated across three specialized entities:

• Spiegel Institut Mannheim focuses on qualitative and quantitative research across markets, target groups, and users — offering everything from cultural insights and UX testing to strategic segmentation and innovation studies.
• Spiegel Institut Ingolstadt specializes in UX engineering and specification for automotive development — translating user needs into technical processes ready for series production.
• Usaneers in Munich designs and delivers digital user experiences for more than 25 years — from interactive, functional prototypes to integration in test vehicles and extended reality (XR) environments.

A Strategic Partner for the Future: Spiegel Institut Joins Visteon 

In its anniversary year, Spiegel Institut joins Visteon, a global leader in automotive cockpit technology, specializing in digital cockpit innovations, advanced displays, AI-powered solutions, and integrated EV architecture solutions. 

„Becoming a strategic partner of Visteon is both a strong signal and a meaningful recognition of our work,” says Andree Kang, CEO of Spiegel Institut. 

“We retain our operational independence and culture — while gaining access to a global network that enhances our capabilities and extends our reach.“

The partnership marks a long-term strategic investment focused on uniting user research, UX design, engineering, and technical integration into a seamless offering. By combining Spiegel Institut’s deep expertise and the Prototyping capability of Usaneers with Visteon’s cutting-edge cockpit technologies, the collaboration creates a comprehensive global service portfolio – from early design insight to full system integration. Spiegel Institut is proud to be part of this forward-looking journey alongside Visteon, with a joint commitment to creating more intuitive, connected, and intelligent mobility experiences.

Staying True to Our Values – While Embracing Change

All business units belonging to Spiegel Institut remain true to their shared core values: psychological depth, methodological precision, and technological agility. Little will change for existing customers—except that now even more is possible.

“We don’t just think along – we think ahead. And we stay engaged when things get complex. That’s what our clients value most – and that’s exactly what we intend to keep strengthening” says Florian Sieper, Managing Director of Spiegel Institut Ingolstadt.

“Usaneers and Visteon are both tech companies that speak the same language” says Robert Neuss, Managing Director of Usaneers, Munich.

At the same time, the institute views the years ahead as an opportunity to advance new frontiers: artificial intelligence, data-driven UX processes, emerging research technologies, international market comparisons, localization, and integrating the user perspective earlier than ever in the product development cycle. Throughout it all, psychologically grounded research remains central — from early ideation to the validation of product strategies.

75 Years – Honoring the Past, Shaping the Future

To mark its anniversary, Spiegel Institut not only reflects on its rich history but also celebrates the beginning of a new chapter — together with its employees, clients, and long-standing partners. 

“Our story began with the sharp intuition of Prof. Bernt Spiegel, and today it leads us into the digital future of user experience,” says Philip Rigley, Managing Director of Spiegel Institut Ingolstadt. “What has always driven us is our commitment to creating solutions that truly resonate with people — and that’s exactly what we’ll continue to stand for.”

About Spiegel Institut
Spiegel Institut is an international group specializing in market and consumer research, UX consulting, and digital product development. With offices in Germany and China, it supports clients from industries including automotive, energy, medical technology, and software in developing user-centered solutions. In 2025, the Institut joined Visteon Corporation as a strategic partner.

About Visteon
Visteon (NASDAQ: VC) is advancing mobility through innovative technology solutions that enable a software-defined future. The company's state-of-the-art product portfolio merges digital cockpit innovations, advanced displays, AI-enhanced software solutions, and integrated EV architecture solutions. 

With expertise spanning passenger vehicles, commercial transportation, and two-wheelers, Visteon partners with global OEMs to create safer, cleaner, and more connected journeys. Headquartered in Van Buren Township, Michigan, Visteon operates in 17 countries, employing a global network of innovation centers and manufacturing facilities. In 2024, the company recorded annual sales of approximately $3.87 billion and secured $6.1 billion in new business. For more information, visit visteon.com.
 

Press Contact:
Dr. Andree Kang
Spiegel Institut Management GmbH
a.kang@spiegel-institut.de
+49 621-728 44-289

Press Contact | Usaneers GmbH: info@usaneers.de
Press Contact | Visteon: Media@Visteon.com
Investors Contact:Investor@Visteon.com