In Conversation with Ned Curic: A Vision for Inclusive Mobility
July 4, 2025
Ned Curic, co-chair of the Freedom of Mobility Forum, brings a wealth of experience and insight to the Forum. A globally recognized automotive technology leader, Ned Curic serves as Head of Product Development and Technology at Stellantis.
At MOVE London 2025, the Freedom of Mobility Forum hosted a discussion with a panel of experts around the safety, accessibility and social acceptance of autonomous vehicles. In our one-to-one with Ned, he shared his vision for the future of mobility, emphasizing the importance of a simplified regulatory environment enabling the accessibility, affordability, and sustainability of innovative solutions and bringing shared value to all stakeholders.
What does freedom of mobility mean to you, and why is it a social enabler for economic development?
Curic: Mobility is essential for access – to education, healthcare, jobs, and community.
When we talk about access, we consider three dimensions: geographic, physical, and economic. Roads are the arteries of a nation, but they’re only alive when transportation is available, usable and affordable.
Today, affordability is one of the biggest barriers, especially as the industry transitions to electric vehicles. That’s why we developed the Smart Car platform: to deliver accessible EVs without compromising on quality. Models like the Citroën ë-C3 and the new Fiat Grande Panda – designed and built in Europe for European drivers – offer full-electric freedom, at the competitive starting price of €23,000.
Everyone should be able to choose the mobility solution that meets their needs—whether that’s equity, access, and safety, or convenience, personalization, and driving pleasure.
The more those choices exist, the stronger and more inclusive our societies become.
Why do you believe technologies like AI and autonomous vehicles can contribute to a more inclusive mobility system?
Curic: We’re working toward a future where mobility is safer, more inclusive, and more affordable.
AI can help us build better solutions, faster and at lower cost, but only if we stay focused on real human needs. If people don’t see a clear societal benefit, even the most advanced technology will be rejected.
We invent on behalf of our customers, and these technologies allow us to accelerate development and deliver safer, more cost-effective products and features to more people, sooner.
How can smart deregulation accelerate collaboration across regions in research and development?
Curic: Science and technology have always been global by nature. It’s one of humanity’s greatest collective adventures. But progress depends on collaboration. When innovation happens in silos, it risks creating fragmentation and inequality.
To build trust and develop meaningful standards, researchers, companies, and institutions must be empowered to work together. Smart deregulation means removing unnecessary barriers while ensuring transparency and alignment.
By harmonizing frameworks across markets, we can create a shared foundation for innovation, one that benefits everyone in the ecosystem.