chris bangle quits bmw 0203 498x252

Breaking news this morning. Many online publications and some of our sources are reporting that BMW's Principal of Blueprint, Chris Bangle volition leave BMW. A controversial designer, Bangle has been behind many of the recent BMW vehicles and information technology influenced the pattern path chosen by BMW.

In a statement issued before, Mr. Bangle said that is leaving BMW to "pursue his ain design-related endeavors beyond the auto manufacture". Nosotros have already seen him being involved with teaching at the prestigious Harvard University. Information technology is being said that Bangle volition continue to cooperate with BMW.

The rumor going around is that some talented BMW designers will follow him at his new design studio.

Adrian van Hooydonk is the new BMW Head of Design, a move expected by many people.

We volition be back before long with more updates.

Thanks for the heads-up Brookside!

Chris Bangle talking about the BMW X6 Pattern

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Adrian Von Hooydonk on the new 7 Series

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Printing Release
Christopher E. Bangle, the BMW Group's Head of Design, has worked closely with Adrian van Hooydonk in BMW Group pattern development for nearly17 years. At present he is handing over his postal service to van Hooydonk, who is currently Head of BMW Automobile Pattern. "Christopher Bangle has had a lasting bear upon on the identity of BMW Grouping's brands. His contribution to the company'due south success has been decisive, and together with his teams he has mapped out a clear and aesthetic road into the future," said Dr Klaus Draeger, BMW AG's Lath Member for Development.

Dr Draeger went on to explicate that the BMW Group was currently "in an splendid position", thanks to a broad portfolio of automobiles and several new vehicle concepts due for market launch in the coming months and years. The BMW AG Direction Board, he added, is looking forward to working with van Hooydonk equally Head of BMW Grouping Design – a man who shares Bangle's fascination for technology and aesthetics, tradition and innovation. Dr Draeger affirmed that van Hooydonk would exist in a position to keep to build on a design philosophy, which extends across the BMW Group'southward brands. Bangle'southward plan to pursue his own design-related endeavours beyond the auto industry marks the start of a new phase in his life while maintaining potent ties with the BMW Grouping.

Over the years numerous designs for new vehicles and vehicle concepts accept been developed nether Christopher Bangle'due south leadership. Too as continuing the BMW three, 5 and 7 Series, he and his teams were responsible for a range of other models, including the BMW Z3, BMW Z4, BMW X5, BMW Z8, BMW X3, the new BMW vi Series, the BMW X6 and the BMW 1 Series. Other developments under the auspices of Christopher Bangle include the new MINI and Rolls-Royce models and a number of innovative motorcycle concepts. During his tenure, Christopher Bangle was besides instrumental in making the company'southward consultancy subsidiary, BMW Grouping DesignworksUSA, what it is today: a global design agency in Northward America, Munich and Singapore for leading international brands and companies in a wide multifariousness of industries.

Cheers to their outstanding design quality numerous products from all iii of the BMW Group's car brands have won a host of renowned awards from around the world. Bangle has always had a special aptitude for working with his teams to strengthen the identities and unmistakable images of the BMW Group's brands and to inspire design innovations, said Dr Draeger, Board Member for Development. Over the years he has received a dozen patents for his technical applications and design. These, forth with the one hundred boosted patents awarded to the BMW Group Design under Bangle's auspices, are a testimony to his creative and innovative power.

Born in the U.s., Christopher Bangle, aged 52, has been Head of BMW Grouping Pattern Development since October 1992. Later on studying at the University of Wisconsin and the Art Center Higher of Design in Pasadena, he began his working life in Rüsselsheim, where he worked for Adam Opel AG. In 1985 he joined FIAT, where he became Managing director of the FIAT Centro Stile in 1992. Before long afterwards he left the Italian automaker to come up to Munich.

Throughout his career with the BMW Group Bangle's correct-hand human has been Adrian van Hooydonk, who is at present prepare to become his successor. He described van Hooydonk equally "truly a top professional in our business," adding, "I am certain that the many strong design strategies he has helped us create for the BMW Group will continue to develop and evolve."

Adrian van Hooydonk, anile 44, will take over as Manager of BMW Group Design with immediate effect. In his new position he will be responsible for design development for the BMW, Rolls-Royce and MINI brands. Born in the netherlands, van Hooydonk studied at Delft Polytechnic Academy in Holland and afterward at the Fine art Eye Europe in Vevey, Switzerland, until 1992. From there he came to Munich, where he joined BMW equally a designer. In the yr 2000 he went to California to piece of work for the BMW Group subsidiary Designworks Usa. He was Director of the internationally renowned design bureau from 2001 to 2004. So, under Bangle as the BMW Group'due south Head of Design, he became Caput of the Brand Design Studio for BMW Automobiles.

The BMW 6 Series and 7 Series lines clearly conduct the hallmark of van Hooydonk'south design influence, as do the Z9 Concept Automobile, the BMW Concept CS (unveiled in 2007) and the M1 Hommage Report. In 1997 van Hooydonk created the ACV 30 Evidence Car for MINI and more recently he and his squad take developed the designs for the new BMW 7 Series and Z4 likewise as for the Concept Progressive Activity Sedan, which celebrates its premiere at the Geneva Auto Bear witness in early March 2009.

"I am honoured and extremely excited to take on this new responsibleness", says van Hooydonk. "BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce produce the best cars and motorcycles in their segment, and I am really looking frontwards to being able to contribute to the hereafter development of these brands." Speaking of his hopes for the years to come up, van Hooydonk added: "I have no doubt that at that place are challenges alee, only BMW's depth in engineering and the passion of its talented blueprint team are equally strong as ever. Together I am certain we will be able to create some very sophisticated and extremely attractive concepts."