Backwards World: Mercedes reportedly swiping Hyundai design (chief)
Hyundai's designs have come a long way over the past few years, and much of the credit is due to the company's chief designer, Joel Piaskowski (above, front). But while the Korean automaker was reportedly shocked when its accomplished stylist resigned last month, the automotive community wondered what was in store next for the young talent. Car Design News now appears to have answered that question, indicating that Piaskowski is headed to California to lead Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design.
After serving for several years as a designer for General Motors, Piaskowski took on the role of chief designer for Hyundai/Kia North America, where he was responsible for such designs as the Genesis (both coupe and sedan), Santa Fe and Veracruz crossovers and Elantra compact sedan, as well as the HCD8, HCD9 Talus and HCD10 Hellion concepts. If the report is true, Piaskowski's new job with Mercedes will have him slip into the position vacated by Gorden Wagener when he was promoted to replace Professor Peter Pfeiffer as head of design, heading up Mercedes' new studio in Southern California.
[Source: Car Design News, Photo by Jonathan Fickles/Getty]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Ligor 11:48AM (1/09/2009)
well,
with the recent E-class pics, maybe they need him to make better Hyundai's and convert them to MB by implementing the grill adn 3-pointed stat
definitely the Genesis looks better than what we've seen so far of hte new E-class
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j 12:42PM (1/09/2009)
The Genesis sedan already has the grill if you slapped the star on most people wouldn't be able to tell the difference.
Rick 12:38PM (1/12/2009)
I came to reply the exact same thing. The new E-Class is horrid and Hyundai is just beginning to get on a nice roll.
John 11:49AM (1/09/2009)
Mercedes needs all the help they can get. Everything they've put out lately is butt-ugly.
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Randy915 4:06PM (1/09/2009)
w h a t a r e y o u s m o k i n g a n d w h e r e c a n i g e t s o m e ? ? ?
Seriously, the C, CL, CLS, SL, S, M, you don't fancy any of them?
Malhaar 11:56AM (1/09/2009)
Finally! Mercedes needs a proper designer! Their stuff these last few years have been horrifically ugly! Hopefully the wave of sheer uglyness that they have been presenting us with will finally end!
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Smegley 11:58AM (1/09/2009)
Since Benz has been stealing Hyundai styling lately, they may as well go all the way.
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zamafir 2:20PM (1/09/2009)
zing! Here we were all thinking one horrid hyundai aping E class was bad, nope, soon we'll have an entire range of hyundai aping products. Brilliant!
Red 12:06PM (1/09/2009)
This should provide an interesting direction for Mercedes' vehicles.
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why not the LS2LS7? 12:06PM (1/09/2009)
Wow, that Hellion concept is awful. They should have used Judas Priests' instead.
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Red 12:10PM (1/09/2009)
You know what's funny though? The Talus made for a better looking X6 two years ago.
BigMcLargeHuge 12:20PM (1/09/2009)
They should incoroporate a lot of the AMG styling into their base models. Incorporate a lot of the Black Series styling into the AMGs. And then make the Black Series true track editions.
Something less 1990's and dull, but still uniquely MB.
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AmazingGerman 12:40PM (1/09/2009)
MIK= NO NO AND NO.
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j 12:43PM (1/09/2009)
Piaskowski is a hack, not sure why MB would want him.
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Nuieve 1:15PM (1/09/2009)
He is very tall.
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Justin 1:18PM (1/09/2009)
Where's Bruno Sacco when you need him?
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jv2k 1:21PM (1/09/2009)
Well the station wagon coupe is ok, but that other one makes the pontiac aztek look like a beauty queen.
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tke 1:26PM (1/09/2009)
the times they are a'changin'. jobs like this don't just go to people who've been in charge of companies with completely gorgeous lineups, just like athletes with big numbers aren't desirable to all teams. you might not love every hyundai, but for all we know this guy has ideas and plans that impress M-B and can interview well. lots of hockey teams aren't interested in talented players like martin havlat; lots of basketball teams avoided latrell sprewell like the plague, and football teams aren't whole-hog for T.O. either. apparently M-B thinks joel will be a good fit for them, regardless of what he could (or could not) do for hyundai.
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Matt 1:28PM (1/09/2009)
I saw my first GLK-Class today. In white. Really, really awful.
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JB 1:51PM (1/09/2009)
Hyundai/Kia shuffles talent in and out more than an American Idol audition.
What Joel couldn't do for Hyundai had more to do with the fanatically overbearing management in Seoul and nothing to do with his talent.
A 'hack'? Armchair ignorance.
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