Thonet shift knobs for Volvo C70 – Click above for high-res image gallery
We'll be honest – when we heard that a European contemporary furniture designer would be creating something specifically for Volvo, our first thought was, well, IKEA. (Very funny, we know.) However, the folks at Thonet (based in Germany, not Sweden) have created special wooden gearshift knobs specifically for the 2011 C70, in partnership with Volvo tuner Heico Sportiv.
The shift knobs, made out of oak, beech or walnut, are said to reflect the design language of Volvo's floating center console. Thonet has a long history of creating wood furniture designs, so it was a natural fit for Volvo to select them to create this special gearshift specifically for the Heico Sportiv C70. Hit the jump to read more in Thonet's press release.
[Source: Thonet]
Thonet does Automotive Design: The first gear shift lever by Thonet will have its worldwide presentation at the Geneva International Motor Show in cooperation with HEICO SPORTIV and VOLVO
At the Geneva International Motor Show (4-14 March 2010) the Thonet gear shift lever will, for the first time, be presented to a worldwide audience. The launch will take place in the exclusive 'Volvo S60 Lounge' which has been completely fitted out by Thonet. Roland Ohnacker, CEO of the well-established Hesse-based company, is convinced that: "With intelligent cooperation projects companies will be better able to access new markets and target groups – especially in difficult economic times."
The new wooden Thonet gear shift lever
The gear shift lever to be presented in Geneva represents a combination of tradition and modernity in a product that has been developed jointly by Thonet and HEICO. The lever harks back to Thonet's longstanding tradition of wood manufacturing: it has been developed, , for the new Volvo C70, whose interior fittings have been refined by HEICO SPORTIV.
The curved shape of the lever conveys lightness and reflects the design language of the floating centre console. It is crafted from the finest oak, beech or walnut wood and available as a limited edition that is hand made in an elaborate multi-stage process. Due to their longstanding experience in woodworking, Thonet was the perfect partner for implementing this ambitious project.
The Thonet Lounge at the Geneva Motor Show
The Thonet Lounge, especially designed for the Geneva Motor Show, will form the exclusive backdrop for the world premiere of the Volvo C70 by HEICO SPORTIV and the new Volvo S60. The lounge will be located at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Geneva where, in addition to the Motor Show, both cars will be presented to the eager public and to professional visitors. Thonet will exclusively fit out the lounge, which will underline the overall quality of the presentation. Fittings will include the successful sofas from the S 5000 product family (designed by James Irvine) and the S 123 barstools (also by James Irvine).
New cooperation projects provide access to new markets and target groups
Since last year, Thonet have intensified their cooperation with other enterprises and exhibition organizers, in order to gain access to new consumer groups and markets. Thonet has already created its own lounges at the Frankfurt IAA, the Berlin Bautec and the Frankfurt Ambiente. Thanks to their cooperation with Japanese retailer Muji, Thonet has penetrated the young consumer market for furniture classics: more-affordable versions of successful classics from the Thonet collection are now available in Muji stores. Thonet CEO Roland Ohnacker commented: "Our collaborative projects from the last 12 months alone have shown the potential of the brand, and have proven how many doors can be opened when you present excellent collaboration ideas for both trade fair exhibitions or product development. Based on our experience at the Frankfurt IAA, we expect our participation at the Geneva Motor Show to result in new contacts to exciting new consumer groups."
At the Geneva International Motor Show (4-14 March 2010) the Thonet gear shift lever will, for the first time, be presented to a worldwide audience. The launch will take place in the exclusive 'Volvo S60 Lounge' which has been completely fitted out by Thonet. Roland Ohnacker, CEO of the well-established Hesse-based company, is convinced that: "With intelligent cooperation projects companies will be better able to access new markets and target groups – especially in difficult economic times."
The new wooden Thonet gear shift lever
The gear shift lever to be presented in Geneva represents a combination of tradition and modernity in a product that has been developed jointly by Thonet and HEICO. The lever harks back to Thonet's longstanding tradition of wood manufacturing: it has been developed, , for the new Volvo C70, whose interior fittings have been refined by HEICO SPORTIV.
The curved shape of the lever conveys lightness and reflects the design language of the floating centre console. It is crafted from the finest oak, beech or walnut wood and available as a limited edition that is hand made in an elaborate multi-stage process. Due to their longstanding experience in woodworking, Thonet was the perfect partner for implementing this ambitious project.
The Thonet Lounge at the Geneva Motor Show
The Thonet Lounge, especially designed for the Geneva Motor Show, will form the exclusive backdrop for the world premiere of the Volvo C70 by HEICO SPORTIV and the new Volvo S60. The lounge will be located at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Geneva where, in addition to the Motor Show, both cars will be presented to the eager public and to professional visitors. Thonet will exclusively fit out the lounge, which will underline the overall quality of the presentation. Fittings will include the successful sofas from the S 5000 product family (designed by James Irvine) and the S 123 barstools (also by James Irvine).
New cooperation projects provide access to new markets and target groups
Since last year, Thonet have intensified their cooperation with other enterprises and exhibition organizers, in order to gain access to new consumer groups and markets. Thonet has already created its own lounges at the Frankfurt IAA, the Berlin Bautec and the Frankfurt Ambiente. Thanks to their cooperation with Japanese retailer Muji, Thonet has penetrated the young consumer market for furniture classics: more-affordable versions of successful classics from the Thonet collection are now available in Muji stores. Thonet CEO Roland Ohnacker commented: "Our collaborative projects from the last 12 months alone have shown the potential of the brand, and have proven how many doors can be opened when you present excellent collaboration ideas for both trade fair exhibitions or product development. Based on our experience at the Frankfurt IAA, we expect our participation at the Geneva Motor Show to result in new contacts to exciting new consumer groups."
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