Munich. The BMW Group is completely reorganising its
Design division under the leadership of Adrian van Hooydonk. Like the
NEUE KLASSE, which represents the redefinition of the BMW brand with
its “electric, digital, circular” philosophy, a new cross-brand design
team will be launched on 1 October 2024 to meet changing demands for
future-oriented vehicle design.
The new organisation, focused on the transformation of the company,
will remain the industry benchmark. For example, Colour and Material
Design will be consolidated across all brands, while the BMW brand
team will be divided into two studios and the future topic of
“Advanced Design” strengthened.
“Technology and customer preferences are currently changing faster
than ever,” says van Hooydonk. “Automotive design has become more
diverse. Designing digital experiences and sound also plays an
increasingly important role, along with sustainable and recycled
materials. The design showcases all the innovative potential of our
products and brands,” van Hooydonk continues. “That’s why, more than
ever, every single detail matters, as well as the holistic and
harmonious integration of the various elements.”
Van Hooydonk is bringing Maximilian Missoni into the
BMW Group Design team to oversee the design of upper mid-size and
luxury class BMW models, as well as BMW Alpina. After holding various
managerial positions at Volkswagen and Volvo Cars, Missoni was most
recently Head of Design at Polestar.
Oliver Heilmer, previously Head of MINI Design, will
be responsible for the design of all compact and mid-size BMW models
going forward, as well as BMW M.
Claudia Braun will head the newly created cross-brand
department for Colour and Material Design for BMW, MINI and
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. She has already been managing colour and
materials for the BMW brand since April 2024, bringing experience from
Porsche AG, Daimler AG and Volvo Cars.
Domagoj Dukec, formerly Head of the BMW Design
Studio, will now assume responsibility for Rolls-Royce Design,
including Bespoke and Coachbuild.
Anders Warming, previously Head of Design
Rolls-Royce, will oversee all Advanced Design topics, as well as the
BMW Group Designworks subsidiary.
Holger Hampf, Head of BMW Group Designworks, will now
be in charge of design for the MINI brand.
Christian Bauer will continue to lead the digital
customer experience into a new era across all brands.
Adrian van Hooydonk: “I am delighted to continue driving the design
and further development of our vehicles and brands forward, together
with a first-class team of highly qualified design professionals.”
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