Autoblog

Ex-Hyundai and Benz stylist Piaskowski joins Ford as head of exterior design

Steven J. Ewing — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Ford, Design/Style

According to AutoWeek, Joel Piaskowski, formerly of General Motors, Hyundai and Mercedes-Benz, is now making his way to Ford to head the exterior design team for the automaker in the Americas.

Piaskowski is perhaps best known for penning the Hyundai Genesis coupe and sedan - two vehicles that helped change the Korean automaker's image here in the United States. He then left Hyundai at the end of 2008 to become the head of design at Mercedes-Benz's advanced design studio in Irvine, California. Following his departure in March of this year, Piaskowski officially joins Ford Motor Company on October 1.

With recent debuts like the Fiesta as well as the upcoming Focus, Ford is proving that it's capable of creating great design. Adding Piaskowski to the mix of clever-eyed design team should only strengthen Ford's future portfolio, and we're eager to see what new designs come out of the Blue Oval under the journeyman's leadership.

[Source: AutoWeek | Image: General Motors]

Ex-Hyundai and Benz stylist Piaskowski joins Ford as head of exterior design originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Sep 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford Start Concept gives informal SoCal show an eco-boost

Frank Filipponio — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 09:58:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Hatchback, Ford, Design/Style

Ford Start Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

During our favorite Southern California car meet this past weekend we were wondering what was drawing such a large crowd up front. We could clearly see the first Ferrari 458 Italia make an appearance off to the side, itself drawing quite a crowd, but something very interesting looked to be parked right alongside a beautiful Porsche Speedster hardtop. Anything that would draw attention away from the Ferrari and a classic Porsche had to be pretty impressive itself, so when we finally pushed through the throngs of admirers, we were a bit surprised to see the new Ford Start Concept.

The Start was unveiled at the Beijing Motor Show a few months ago and has since rested inside the Ford Design Studio. Lucky for us, the Ford crew decided this concept needed a bit of fresh air, so they drove it over to the meet-up and parked it front and center between the Speedster and an Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Zagato, both said to be styling influences for the design team. The design was a huge hit with the attendees, admiring its stance and size as much as its striking styling cues. The rear pillar trusses got a lot of appreciative glances in particular, as did the interior.

Designers on hand wouldn't comment on production plans for this little runabout, but the crowd seemed to want one - now - and we are right in line with them. This could easily be the look of the next Ford Ka, with a funky ferocity to that has us thinking of the original Mini more than the current BMW version. If nothing else the Start gives us an even clearer vision of what Ford's "Post-Kinetic" design language will generate in future models. One feature we know we'll be seeing more of its the engine: The Start features the new Ecoboost 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine, which is said to be good for 120 horsepower in this application. Click on the gallery below to see even more pics of the Start in the wild.

Gallery: Ford Start Concept in Southern California

Ford Start Concept gives informal SoCal show an eco-boost originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Jul 2010 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Life much easier for Ford designers in a post-PAG world

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 25 May 2010 16:29:00 EST

Filed under: Ford, Design/Style

2010 Ford Start concept - click above for high-res image gallery

While Volvo's fate isn't perfectly clear yet, it appears that everyone might have been best served by Ford severing ties with the foreign branches of its Premier Automotive Group: Aston Martin, Volvo, Land Rover and Jaguar. True, Ford didn't get to fully benefit from the labor it put into the cars those brands are unveiling to accolades right now, but it spared itself the continued financial and brain drain on its core brands.

It was a drain that was also felt by the company's design arm, headed by J Mays. Referring to how thin The Blue Oval's design resources were stretched, Mays called the efforts "an inch deep and a mile wide." Part of it was that there were simply so many new models to keep track of, the other part being that so many of those cars had such vastly different requirements - an Aston couldn't look like a Lincoln, and even though an Aston could use Volvo's switchgear it shouldn't look anything like S80 or an XF.

Now the team can focus on wrapping the company's products and concept cars (like the Ford Start shown above) in the "Post-Kinetic" design language developed a few years ago. That, Mays says, is also easier because of Ford's rationalization of its platforms - something that also could not have been as completely without selling the company's PAG brands.

Gallery: Ford Start Concept

[Source: Ward's Auto]

Life much easier for Ford designers in a post-PAG world originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 May 2010 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford moving to three-year redesigns to keep things fresh

Chris Shunk — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:03:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Etc., Ford, Lincoln, Mercury

Back when it was virtually guaranteed 20% US market share, Ford would redesign its vehicles every five or more years. The Ford Ranger, Focus, and Crown Victoria changed even slower, with mostly only new lights and grilles. When competitive pressures started to put the Blue Oval into an anaconda death grip, that once guaranteed share began to shrink. To battle those competitive forces, Ford is looking to do a major redesign on its vehicles every three years from now on. Ford design director Peter Horbury told Automotive News that minor styling changes just aren't effective, and that future redesigns will include changes to everything but the doors, roof, and glass. That leaves bumpers, hoods, trunks, lights, quarter panels and front and rear facias as some of the items that can be refreshed in a much more timely fashion.

Horbury claims the Dearborn, MI automaker listened to the press with regard to styling changes, which emboldens us to ask for more. We'd like a twin-turbo four-pot Mustang, a plug-in euro Focus, a 40 mpg F-150, a seat on the board, and free Mondeos for all.

[Source: Auto News (subs req'd)]

Ford moving to three-year redesigns to keep things fresh originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mays: Ford's single global design language will debut in six years

John Neff — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 19:05:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Ford

It's been no secret that part of Ford's turnaround plan (or we calling it Bold Moves anymore?) is to reunite its North American and European operations with more platform sharing and a common design language. With product life cycles being as long as they are in this industry, none of that will happen overnight. In fact, J Mays, Ford's group vice president of design and chief creative officer, told Automotive News that a single uniting global design language for both sides of the pond will be ready in about six years.

The main stumbling block is that Ford vehicles in North American and those sold in Europe have successfully established their own recognizable and well-liked design themes. It's called "Kinetic design" in Europe where the best example can be found in the new Mondeo, and "Bold American" in the U.S. where it manifests itself in the form of the three-bar chrome grille.

We've heard from inside sources that there's also a clash of personalities involved here between Ford of Europe's chief designer, Martin Smith, and Peter Horbury who heads up design for Ford in the U.S. Establishing a single visual language for Fords sold on both sides of the pond hinges on these two working together, which we've heard is progressing albeit slowly. Mays tells AN, "I'm so pleased with the professional approach that Peter Horbury and Martin [Smith] have taken on driving us to the right answer," but we assume he has to say that, so take it with a grain of salt.

Now that Aston Martin is gone and Jaguar and Land Rover are on their way out, Mays has time once again to delve deeper into the designs of each brand over which he has dominion. Hopefully the hands on approach will keep Martin and Horbury motivated with the end result being some fantastic Ford designs in a half dozen years.

[Source: Automotive News, sub. req'd]

Mays: Ford's single global design language will debut in six years originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Nov 2007 19:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kelley Blue Book says Ford trucks, SUVs look best

Chris Tutor — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 19:39:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Truck, Ford

Apparently tough and muscular are favored by truck and SUV buyers. Who knew? In a Kelley Blue Book Brand Watch poll, active car shoppers picked the look of Ford's trucks and non-luxury SUVs over the competition.

Though the poll was done in April, current sales numbers seem to prove it, with some of Ford's pickups seeing more than 50% sales increases over last year despite rising gas prices. Ford recently increased its sales predictions of the Edge, and says its new Expedition had its eighth consecutive month of higher sales in April. Ford's May sales overall were down 10.4%, a drop the company blamed on a cutback in fleet purchases.

The KBB report is good news for Ford, of course, but KBB says it should be very interesting to other carmakers.

"As vehicle reliability reaches near-parity in the market, we predict that exterior styling will play an even bigger role in building new-vehicle sales and brand equity," said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst, Kelley Blue Book. "The results of the Brand Watch study demonstrate that the industry is, and should be, placing great emphasis on what their vehicles look like."

The second best looking trucks, according to those polled, are built by GMC, with Chevy third, Dodge fourth and Toyota fifth. Honda brought up the rear in eleventh place. Among SUVs, Ford was first, Toyota second and GMC third. The luxury SUV segment is dominated by imports, with BMW, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz taking the top three spots.

Read the KBB press release here, and Ford's press release after the jump.

Continue reading Kelley Blue Book says Ford trucks, SUVs look best

Kelley Blue Book says Ford trucks, SUVs look best originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Jun 2007 19:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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