I'm Yang Cao, an exterior automotive designer, vehicle importer, and passionate advocate for the preservation of Chinese design culture. Currently completing my BS in Transportation Design at ArtCenter College of Design, I specialize in blending traditional Chinese aesthetics with modern vehicle styling.

My experience includes an exterior design internship with Hongqi, where I participated in early-stage development and model reviews, gaining insight into cross-cultural design collaboration. I’ve also led concept and modeling work in a sponsored project with JIDU, envisioning AI-driven mobility for the cities of 2030.

Outside of school, I’ve restored ancient Chinese architecture featured in China National Geographic and spoken at TEDx Nanjing. I’m also the co-founder of CDM IMPORT, a company that imports and customizes rare Chinese-market vehicles—from original and refurbished models to fully modified classics, such as the VW Santana, Hongqi, and Citroën.

My mission is to connect cultural heritage with forward-thinking mobility through design, storytelling, and preservation.