Posted on : Aug.1,2006 11:19 KST
Kia Motors announced on July 31 that it has hired Germany’s Peter Schreyer, 53, as a chief design officer in order to improve its brand competitiveness. Kia is slated to redesign its cars, which it makes on platforms from its parent company, Hyundai Motor Corp.
Starting September, Schreyer, who has served as the chief design officer at Audi and Volkswagen, will oversee design operations of Kia Motors at home and abroad, including in Europe, the United States, and Japan. With Schreyer’s appointment, Kia Motors will separately manage its design workforce, and plan to focus on developing world-class auto designs that appeal to the aesthetic sensibilities and lifestyles of global customers, it said.
Kia Motors President Chung Eui-sun said, “Although we share platforms and new technology with Hyundai Motor, Kia Motors should have the capability of developing its own designs to express the Kia brand in the global market.” Chung said, “With the hiring of a world-class automobile designer, Kia Motors is expected to become more innovative and creative in terms of design.”
Schreyer was picked as one of top three automobile designers in Europe, along with BMW’s Chris Bangle and Audi’s Walter De Silva. As the chief design officer at Audi, Schreyer had played a key role in introducing innovative and sporty designs for Audi between 1994 and 2002, Kia Motors said. Schreyer has earned his reputation by receiving four top design awards from the German government and the Chicago Good Design Award two times.
“Kia Motors has seen dazzling development in terms of quality and design. I will make an effort for Kia Motors to showcase innovative and unique designs in the global market,” Schreyer was quoted as saying by Kia Motors.
Schreyer plans to unveil his core design strategy by introducing a new car, codenamed ‘ED,’ at a Paris auto industry show in late September.
