BMW Design Team Shake Up

 

BMW enthusiasts and long-time fans may have some cheering come October 1. According to Motor1.com, BMW Design Group will be shaking up the design department at the fabled German manufacturer.

If you've seen a BMW lately, to say its designs and aesthetics have been warmly received would be a bit of a lie. The direction the brand has taken has been polarizing for fans and newcomers. Despite the negative comments and public opinion, sales haven’t slowed. Over 2.2 million units were delivered in 2023. Maybe leases are smoking good deals for up and coming account executives in marketing? But regardless, that’s moving a lot of products.

Current boss Adrian van Hooydonk retains his position as Design Director. Domagoj Dukec, responsible for the “design language” like the iX, i4 and the M3/M4 will now be head of design at Rolls Royce (RIP Rolls Royce). 

The former design head at Polestar, Maximilian Missoni, will take on the upper mid-size and luxury class for BMW. His minimalistic style and approach fit nicely with the Scandinavian brand but will it play for BMW? 

Concerningly, Missoni self-identified himself as “never a gear head” according to BMWBLOG.com and is a red flag not to be ignored. It will be interesting to see if that perspective helps or hurts BMW down the road.

Design boss at MINI, Oliver Heilmer will handle the compact to mid-size cars as well as the look of the M cars. A small glimmer of hope, Heilmer declares his fascination and love of cars has been around since his childhood.

Long gone are the subtle and timeless designs from Ulf Weidhase who brought about modern icons like the E39 M5, E46 M3. Or even the controversial designs of Chris Bangle and the E60 M5 and E63 M6. 

More staff changes and details can be found at the BMW Press Release here.

Will the change of staff and direction save BMW from itself? Time will tell, but hopefully the new folks can right the ship from its current dystopian scheißebox designs.