Car Designers Speak Out at International Forum

Car Designers Speak Out at International Forum

At Last! Inner Thoughts on Design Revealed

Six of the world's great designers gathered for a presentation on car design, followed by a panel discussion moderated by Jean Jennings, publisher of Automobile magazine. We were there, and took notes. The following quotes reveal some of what these talented artists are really thinking.

Olivier Boulay, Head of Design, Mitsubishi Motors

The Mitsubishi Colt (sold in Japan and Europe) is "urban and chic... beautiful because it's ugly and ugly because its beautiful." "The original Mustang and your new Mustang are great designs. Everything in between was crap." "The Porsche 911 has always been an old lady. But it's a great race car with heritage... and many curved surfaces."

Shiro Nakamura, Director of Design, Nissan Motor Corporation

On the disparity between high-performance automobiles and modern speed limits: "We are painting dreams bigger than life. Humans need that." "Today's young people are less interested in cars and speed. They want to relax and will use the car for this purpose. The Nissan Cube (a small, box-like car with a flexible interior) allows young folks to get together and share time with each other." "Retro represents a frustration among designers forced to work to a management business case."
About American culture: "The US has always been just a cowboy."
About Japanese culture: "You are born, you live, you die, you move on."

Chris Bangle, Director of BMW Group Design, BMW AG

"A great airplane designer once said 'pretty planes fly faster.' And then came the Stealth, proving the paradigm wrong." (Was that Cadillac's justification for its controversial Art & Science design theme?) "Retro is like Hamlet; same words, same writer, yet audiences still like it." Also... "the absence of an alternative makes retro acceptable."

David Lyon, Executive Director of Design, General Motors

"Design must fulfil dreams and desires, represent the quality of life in the 2000's. There is a role for emotions, not just technology". Lyon also said, when explaining how Cadillac's new designs were influenced by the need to make the cars acceptable in Europe, "the European view of America is... computers, aerospace, the military."

Ed Golden, Design Director, Cars, Ford North America

Talking about retro-design: "People are asking for something they can identify with." "Automobile journalists and consumers are at the polar ends of satisfaction. But journalists have a very powerful influence." (Your Guide's reaction to that one: right on both counts.)

Favorite car designs

Olivier Boulay of Mitsubishi: "The Mini."
Shiro Nakamura of Nissan: "Shelby Cobra."
David Lyon of General Motors: "The Phantom Corsair (a late 30's concept car)... reminds me of a flying saucer."
David McKinnon of DaimlerChrysler: "Ferrari Lusso."
Ed Golden of Ford: "Jaguar E-Type."