Saab Aero X designer honored

For a car designer, being honored by ELLE magazine might not be something you rush to append to your Curriculum Vitae. On the other hand, good design is good design, and the difference between the design cognoscenti and lay people is largely an ability to verbalize the pleasing elements of a form. Most people unschooled in the history and theory of design merely say "it's nice, I like it," or the oft-uttered phrase around Autoblog HQ - "that's hot."
GM Europe's Anthony Lo has been bestowed the honor of "Asian Designer of the Year" at the 2007 ELLE Magazine Style Awards. Lo has headed up GM Europe's Advanced Design division since 2004 after holding Advanced Design positions at Saab and Mercedes Benz. Lo's work on the Saab Aero X concept won him the award from ELLE. Lo has also presided over the designs of recent concepts such as the Opel Flextreme and GTC. So we guess if you love/hate the 9-5's chrome-bespectaled beak, he's the man to thank/blame. The Aero X is one fine piece of work, though, so we'll just stare at that and chase away any thoughts of the 9-5, or better yet, the Caddy BLS.

Press release after the jump.

[Source: GM via The Car Blog]


GM Europe Designer named Asian Designer of the Year for Saab Aero X concept

Anthony Lo wins ELLE Style Award 2007

Hong Kong. GME Designer Anthony Lo has been named Asian Designer of the Year at the ELLE Magazine Style Awards 2007 in Hong Kong. He was honored for his work on the Saab Aero X concept, which was presented for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show in 2006.

Anthony Lo was named Director of Advanced Design, GM Europe, in August 2004. He heads the GM Europe Advanced Design organization, which is responsible for all Opel, Saab and Vauxhall advanced design activities. He was born in Hong Kong, China on December 26, 1964. Lo studied Industrial Design at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and holds a Master's degree in Transportation Design from the Royal College of Art in London, England. He became Chief Designer for Advanced Design at Saab Automobile AB in October 2000 after holding a similar position at Mercedes Benz Advanced Design. Lo oversaw the design of the Saab 9X, 9-3X, 9-3 Sport Hatch and Aero X concept cars, as well as the 2007 Opel GTC Concept and Opel Flextreme from concept to production.

Saab Aero X concept first presented at Geneva Motor Show in 2006

The unusual two-seat sports coupé – clearly inspired by the brand's aircraft heritage – features a glass cockpit canopy that opens to allow passengers to enter. It was named "Best of Show" at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show by editors of U.S. motoring magazine AutoWeek, and "Concept Car of the Year" by Autocar, Britain's oldest car magazine.

ELLE Style Awards

ELLE, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, hosted the ELLE Style Awards 2007 in Hong Kong. The event has been held annually since 1997, when ELLE U.K. hosted the first ELLE Style Awards in London. The awards ceremony has grown into a star-studded event, with celebrity guests such as Madonna, Charlize Theron, Kylie Minogue, Jeremy Scott, Kate Moss and Stella McCartney.



In 2007, the ELLE Style Awards were turned into a truly Asian event, fully supported by six other Asian editions of ELLE, including China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Singapore and Thailand. ELLE HK presented 30 awards to outstanding personalities from the worlds of fashion and entertainment, and for the first time also to representatives from the arts and culture.

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