Dallas, Texas 05/29/2014 (FINANCIALSTRENDS) – Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F)’s Martin Smith who is Head of Design for Europe is retiring at the year end and he has elected to work on a global project intended to study the future direction of Ford design. Mr. Smith has been leading Europe’s award-winning design team for almost a decade. Mr. Smith will work closely with Ford Motor’s Vice President of Design, Moray Callum on this global project, until his retirement.
Martin Smith at Ford of Europe
Martin Smith joined the company in 2004 to lead the conceptualization of a new exterior design for Ford of Europe which eventually became known as “kinetic design,” well characterized by dramatic, bold lines that essentially express energy in motion. Kinetic design substantially defines the design of current models of Fiesta and Focus besides being the acclaimed designs of the first generation S-MAX and Kuga as well as second generation C-MAX and fourth generation Mondeo. Mr. Smith also contributed to the creation of many significant Ford concept vehicles, including the most recent S-MAX Concept as well as that of Evos, Iosis, Iosis MAX, Iosis X and Verve.
Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F)’s Vice President for Global Product Development, Raj Nair expressed that Mr. Smith’s passion for design has significantly influenced Ford designs globally and he will continue, in his new role, to help create world class design for future vehicles which will be true to Ford values and more meaningful to the customers.
Appointment of New Design Head
Joel Piaskowski will succeed Martin Smith as Director of Design for Ford of Europe and he will take this new position effective July 1, 2014. Piaskowski, a renowned design leader has close to 25 years of international automotive experience and is presently serving as Head of Ford’s Strategic Concepts Group. Piaskowski joined Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) in 2010 as Director of Exterior Design for The Americas region.
Stock Update
Yesterday, the stock gained less than 1% and closed at $16.31. The stock has gained close to 3.50% over past five trading sessions.
