BREAKING: Volvo design chief Steve Mattin leaves company
by Chris Paukert on Mar 27th 2009 at 4:28PM 
Details are scarce at the moment, but we have learned that Volvo's award-winning design director, Steve Mattin, has left the company. While no further details are immediately available (why he left, where he is headed, possible successors, etc.), Dan Johnston, Volvo's East Coast PR manager confirmed the news to us after placing a call to his counterparts in Sweden this afternoon.U.K.-born Mattin has been Volvo's design director since May of 2005 and was instrumental in creating designs like the C30, XC60, and most recently, the S60 Concept from Detroit. Mattin joined the Swedish automaker after coming over from (then) DaimlerChrysler, where he was employed for 17 years. Mattin left DCX as the company's senior design manager after having a hand in vehicles as wide-ranging as the SL, SLK, SLR, R-Class, M-Class, and the Maybach line.
We will probably have to wait until Monday for further details, but sit tight – Volvo's already winding road may have just gotten a bit bumpier.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
jav 4:36PM (3/27/2009)
Thank god!
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tommygrindin 6:32PM (3/27/2009)
I don't see how this is a good thing. His designs were pretty good.
AMcA 10:55PM (3/27/2009)
That is the SCARIEST TOUPE I've ever seen.
AZZO45b 4:35PM (3/27/2009)
Do they even call it DaimlerChrysler any longer? Just say MERCEDES... the dude never worked in Auburn Hills. All of his projects are Mercedes-Benz based
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izorro 4:36PM (3/27/2009)
This is depressing. His designs are without a doubt in my opinion beautiful. The c30 especially I think is unbelievable this makes them a little less lucrative from a buyers perspective.
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Edmond Dantes 4:51PM (3/27/2009)
+5, Informative
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Aprime 4:55PM (3/27/2009)
Hueg pic is hueg
BoxerFanatic 5:33PM (3/27/2009)
Well, there was yesterday's article about Volvo saying that looking less "eye catching" might be a good thing, which is bass-ackwards.
Justification after Mattin left, or reason Mattin left?
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P.V. 5:33PM (3/27/2009)
Oops. Just saw your comment. My bad!
BoxerFanatic 6:23PM (3/27/2009)
No prob, bob. :D
superman211 7:29PM (3/27/2009)
LOL! Yeah who want's that to be said about their "stunning" "refreshing" art work.
Not him evidently!
I QUIT!
P.V. 5:33PM (3/27/2009)
So THAT'S why Volvo started downplaying its recent beautiful designs all of a sudden!
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/26/volvo-coo-sees-companys-less-eye-catching-lineup-as-an-advantag/
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Vasili K 6:33PM (3/27/2009)
I have a C30. I love the design, i think it's the best of volvo'scurrent design theme. I'm hoping the next generation (if there is one, hopefully) will be just as great.
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Randy915 8:33PM (3/27/2009)
Frankentstein design cars?
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ambientFLIER 8:44PM (3/27/2009)
Great news! Maybe now every volvo won't look so forgettable and bland, or just downright dorky.
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Doctor Kum 9:15PM (3/27/2009)
What broke?
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captain underpants and the bringdown gang 9:15AM (3/28/2009)
maybe he is leaving because mazda is going to sue volvo for outright design theft.
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shimon 9:43AM (3/30/2009)
no official press release from volvo yet...............
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