Chris Bangle On Current Car Design: “Real Need For A Change”

Click here to view the embedded video. Designer Chris Bangle, who was strongly identified with BMW's brand image and some controversial styling decisions before leaving the company four years ago to open up an independent design studio, says that today's car designers are doing the same things over and over again, something he calls "mannerism". In and interview with Automotive News Europe, Bangle said, "There is a real need for a change and that's just not happening." Designers talk about innovation, but don't really innovate, Bangle opined. "Even concept cars today simply anticipate the next production model coming down the line. Is this innovation? No. And at the end of the day this is what's preventing car design from moving into a new era." When asked if he considered returning to run an automaker's studio, Bangle confirmed that he'd been offered jobs but insists that he's not interested at this point in his life, though he said that he loved his time with BMW. "Designing cars consumes you; it has a hold on your spirit which is incredibly powerful. It's not something you can do part time, you have do it with all your heart and soul or you're going to get it wrong. You have to know when to leave the party." Note: The video above is of a presentation Chris Bangle made last November to Stanford University's Center for Automotive Research at Stanford (CARS), wherein he discusses some of the same issues. from The Truth About Cars http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com

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