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Volvo designer Horbury headed to China with Geely

Dan Roth — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 10:28:00 EST

Filed under: China, Volvo, Geely, Design/Style

When you think of designer Peter Horbury, Volvo follows logically. Soon, we'll all have to expand our thinking to leap from mention of Mr. Horbury to Chinese automaker (and Volvo owner) Geely. The well-regarded designer has been linked with Volvo for decades, and now he's reportedly adding styling responsibilities for Geely to his to-do list. He'll pack his bags in Gothenburg, Sweden where he's been vice president of Volvo design, and touch down in China to offer his talents to the Geely Group as it works to grow its brand and eventually offer its vehicles worldwide.

Bringing a steady-handed designer to lead its styling efforts will help Geely stand apart from its sometimes weirdly penned compatriots. Looking at what the British designer accomplished during his tenure at Volvo, going from iconoclastic boxes to a decidedly curvy design revival in Gothenburg, he's already masterminded what Geely needs to accomplish. The best part is that it's not a loss of design continuity for Volvo, as he'll stay on there, but it's a whole new playground for Mr. Horbury to devise a new design language.

This should be interesting.

Volvo designer Horbury headed to China with Geely originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Nov 2011 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Peter Horbury returns to head Volvo design; Moray Callum in as Ford's design chief

Chris Paukert — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 09:58:00 EST

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Ford, Volvo

Peter Horbury is returning to finish what he started. The charismatic British designer is shifting from leading Ford's American design efforts back to Volvo, the Swedish automaker at which he helped bring emotional surface language to the fore in the Nineties. Horbury leaves the Blue Oval having presided over the department's design efforts for much of its current portfolio (2010 Mustang, Fusion, Milan, 2009 Flex, etc.), along with numerous Lincolns, including the MKS, MZK, and MKT. Horbury's official title will be vice president, design, and he will be based in Gothenburg, Sweden. He replaces Steve Mattin, who left Volvo suddenly under mysterious conditions late last week.

Horbury's departure creates a leadership vacuum at Ford, a gap into which Moray Callum will fit as executive director for Ford Americas design. As a report to Horbury, Callum oversaw design on the 2010 Taurus, and he also led the teams that conceived the 2010 Mustang, Fusion, and Mercury Milan. Callum is perhaps better known for his work at Mazda, which included the 2003 Mazda 3, 2007 CX-7 and CX-9, along with a string of concept vehicles.

Both appointments are effective May 1. Full details in the press release after the jump.

Continue reading Peter Horbury returns to head Volvo design; Moray Callum in as Ford's design chief

Peter Horbury returns to head Volvo design; Moray Callum in as Ford's design chief originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Apr 2009 09:58:00 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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Lincoln going global?

Dan Roth — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 09:57:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Ford, Lincoln

Bringing his experience heading Lexus with him when he defected to Ford, Jim Farley's got his eye on some premium-Toyota style brand growth. Ford's past party line has been that the Lincoln nameplate is strictly for North American consumption, but Farley's been conferring with other Forders like Peter Horbury about taking Lincoln worldwide. Lexus is enjoying rapid growth in markets like Russia and Saudi Arabia, so it's not a new concept for Farley, and Horbury has previous global-brand experience, as well. Whether Ford intends on turning Lincoln into an American Lexus (whatever that might mean) isn't clear, but our domestic luxury marques sometimes enjoy a better reputation elsewhere - witness Buick's stature in China (Counterpoint: witness Cadillac's stature in Europe). The newly unveiled MKS is a good weapon to shoot across the globe, riding on a platform that originated at Volvo. We don't think Lincoln will swipe customers from Volvo, as they're likely different groups of buyers - so what it really may mean is more potential buyers to snap up Ford's production capacity.

Thanks for the tip, throwback!

[Source: Auto News - sub req]

Lincoln going global? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Nov 2007 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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