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We're hoping to get Kia HQ to include U.S./Canada markets for the new Ceed once the new plant opens in Georgia. It is 2 years away before the plant will produce a Kia and by that time Kia may very well have a plan in place for it with the latest design tweaks. We are getting a lot of press interest since the new Ceed is designed for and built in Europe. Awesome days are ahead for Kia and its customers.
I agree Inky. Sometimes someone will ask me why I like the Sportage over the Hyundai Tucson since they are on the same platform. My answer is always that Kia does a better job detailing the design and fit and finish is often time better. Same holds with the new Optima vs. the Hyundai Sonata in my opinion even though Optima is now built on its own platform and suspension. I like the new Sonata a lot but Kia just pleases me more for the way it finishes things. With the new head designer of Kia worldwide being from VW and working at the Germany Kia Design facility I think we are in for a nice ride of new designs. Even the staff in Detroit and Irvine report to him. Exciting time to be with Kia.
Drives: 2006 Scion xA, 1972 VW Super Beetle, 1971 VW Type 2 (w/ Hightop)
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Originally Posted by Schnauzer
With the new head designer of Kia worldwide being from VW and working at the Germany Kia Design facility I think we are in for a nice ride of new designs.
Ah, that would explain the European look it has.
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-- Christian
(Formerly) '02 Sedona EX 3.5 V6
Well, he didnt have any impact on the c'eed however his dosier is very impressive to say the least. If you are intrested below is an article about the man.
~ Cheers McCoy
Former Audi/VW design chief to spearhead Kia Motors’ global design initiatives
(SEOUL) July 31, 2006 -- Kia Motors Corporation announced today that it has appointed leading automotive industry designer Peter Schreyer, who designed world renown “cult” cars like the New Beetle and the Audi TT, to the newly created position of Chief Design Officer. Mr. Schreyer’s appointment will complement Kia’s significantly increasing emphasis on automobile design and support the ongoing regeneration of its model range.
Schreyer (53), who officially begins his new role on September 1, will oversee Kia's domestic and international design functions and will be responsible for implementing the company's design vision in line with its 'exciting and enabling' brand values that target a young-at-heart and adventurous target customer base.
Euisun Chung, President & CEO of Kia Motors Corporation, said, "As we continue to develop the Kia brand across all key regional markets, we are required to continually enhance our range of vehicles through world class, innovative advances in product design. This appointment underlines our commitment to meeting and exceeding customer expectations by accurately reflecting modern aesthetics and regional and cultural sensibilities."
"Mr. Schreyer's track record over many years in the automotive sector speaks for itself and we are looking forward to working with him to lay out a long-term strategy that will center on molding a unique and consistent design lineage for the entire future Kia lineup. We are focused on boosting our competitiveness on the world stage by dramatically upgrading the design element of our vehicle lineup while adding a strong emotional dimension to the brand," said Mr. Chung.
Schreyer will oversee the design activities of the company’s regional design centers in Frankfurt, Los Angeles and Tokyo as well as the company’s flagship Namyang Design Center in Korea.
Schreyer will not only be responsible for the design of the entire range of Kia models, but will also play a significant role in advancing the company’s worldwide brand footprint. Schreyer’s central task will be to mold the future face of the brand and models from the same clay. According to Peter Schreyer, "Good design not only transmits clear messages through the products, but also solidifies the company's brand positioning and overall company image."
In his new function, the German automobile designer will occupy a key position for product development within the company. “I’m looking forward to an unbelievably exciting and many-faceted task ahead of me. Kia already has a reputation for successful and reliable products with solid designs and an outstanding price-performance ratio. That brings a payback from customers. While others are treading water, Kia is making tremendous headway,” added Schreyer
Schreyer is scheduled to make his first address to the trade public in his new capacity at the Paris Motor Show in late September, when he will present the key elements of the new Kia design strategy for the first time. Kia's first ever vehicle to be produced in Europe specifically for European customers -- a five door family hatchback codenamed 'ED' -- will also make its world premiere at the event.
The new appointment is the latest stage in a highly successful career that has seen Schreyer become one of the automotive industry's most respected authorities on product design. As Audi's chief designer between 1994 and 2002, he was credited with revamping the Audi brand with a number of revolutionary new auto designs. From 2002 to 2005, he was the chief designer for Volkswagen and since 2005 has been the head of advanced design for the Volkswagen group, earning critical acclaim for several crucial product launches, featuring a range of unique design concepts.
His outstanding creative work has led to many national and international awards, including the Design Award of the Federal Republic of Germany and the world famous red dot award. He has also won the German National Design Award several times for helping to propel the German auto industry in new directions with his sporty and innovative designs.
PETER SCHREYER DESIGN TRACK RECORD
Volkswagen Design / Projects:
Concept Cars:
- Concept 1 (New Beetle)
- Concept C (Eos)
- Concept R (Roadster)
- Concept T (Buggy)
- GX 3 (Three Wheeler)
- Microbus
- Ragster
Passenger Cars:
- Golf IV & Variant
- Jetta
- Passat B 5 & Variant
- Lupo & Seat Arosa
- New Beetle
- Golf V & Golf Plus
- Golf GTI & Golf R32
- Jetta
- Passat B 6 & Variant
- Eos
- Compact SUV
Concept Cars:
- Quattro Spider
- Audi TT & AUDI TTS
- AL 2 & AL 2 open end
- Steppenwolf
- Allroad Quattro
- Avantissimo
- Rosemeyer
Passenger Cars:
- Audi A2
- Audi A3 & A3 Sportsback
- Audi A4 & A4 Avant + Audi Cabrio
- Audi A6 & A6 Avant + Allroad
- Audi A8
- Audi TT & Audi TT Roadster
Q&A: Peter Schreyer's Design Plans for Kia
October 6, 2006 Business On Line Europe -- The Korean carmaker's new chief designer discusses developing the brand through design, especially given its European expansion drive --
Kia scored big in July when it hired German design star Peter Schreyer from Volkswagen. During his eight years at Audi from 1994 to 2002, Schreyer shaped the look of the iconic TT roadster and the classic Bauhaus-inspired 1997 Audi A6 sedan, both of which helped turn Audi into an exemplar of great auto design.
In 2002, Schreyer moved over to Volkswagen, where he designed the hot Concept R roadster. But insiders say the talented German, who studied design at the Royal College of Art in London, fell out with VW Chief Designer Murat Gunak.
Kia recruited Schreyer to help inject European flair into its low-budget cars—a must for competing with the edgy French, a newly design-savvy Toyota, and even Fiat, which is striving to reinvent an alluring Italian look. Schreyer, 53, now heads Kia's global design center based in Frankfurt, Germany, with satellites in Los Angeles, Korea, and Japan. He spoke with Senior European Correspondent Gail Edmondson during the Paris Auto Show, which runs through Oct. 15. Edited excerpts of their conversation follow.
How will you be changing Kia's design? The cars I've designed in the past follow a philosophy: clear graphics and surfaces. They don't follow the dictates of fashion. Kia's new cars such as the Sorrento, the Sedona, and the Carnival show this direction, but I want to develop it further. Kia is a newcomer—people don't know the brand. It is anonymous. Design is important to overcoming that.
Will you be giving a German look to Kia's cars?
Kia wants to expand in Europe. Germany is a leader in design and in automotive design. Kia wants and needs a European flavor or design look. I can't avoid a certain Germanness. I have a certain handwriting and attitude—and you will find traces of it in the cars I design.
You are based in Frankfurt, where Kia is building a new design center. How do you coordinate the global design of Kia's cars?
We have three main studios, in Frankfurt, Korea, and Los Angeles. But you cannot sell the same car in the U.S. and Europe. The C'eed works for Europe. It's not a question of design language only, but also the entire concept of the car. When it comes to design, all of Kia's cars come from the same family. We have separated our German design studio from Hyundai so Kia can go its own way in design.
BMW's Mini sells very well in the U.S. Mini has a very strong character. They also have very self-confident marketing. BMW does it well. But I believe Mini works because it is not too American.
Everyone wants emotional design in their cars today. Is that your goal, too, and if so, what will make Kia's emotional design stand out from the pack?
Many understand emotion to be curvy lines. It can also be the right stance and proportions. I'm very careful with the word emotional. I think it isn't design anymore, it's styling. It's cosmetic. I believe in proportions and character.
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