New Volvo design chief Jeremy Offer is the first to admit that his "background is not the traditional automotive profile". The Brit joined the Swedish firm in May after a six-year stint at electric commercial vehicle start-up Arrival, but he has spent the bulk of his 20-plus-year career working in industrial design and consulting.
Yet it's that unorthodox background that made him the choice of Volvo boss Jim Rowan, himself an automotive outsider who previously worked in tech. "I've got a unique take on the automotive industry, and that chimes with what Volvo is doing and [where the] automotive industry is heading," added Offer.
Autocar recently spoke to Offer about how his unique approach to car design will shape the future of Volvo.
What will you bring to Volvo?
"Automotive design is no longer about the one area of vertical integration the automotive industry traditionally had - the engine - and it's now about core computing, software and the user experience: human-centred design. These are all things I have a lot of experience in, coming from more of a consumer electronics background.
"The automotive industry is becoming more device-like, an extension of your digital lifestyle that needs to be seamless when you get into your car.
"So creating that requires a more holistic idea of what designing a car is about rather than just interior and exterior styling. That is key."
What about the emotional response a vehicle can offer?
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة June 21, 2023 من Autocar UK.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة June 21, 2023 من Autocar UK.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
MG 4
An EV changes your driving style - but not to the detriment of pleasure
PEUGEOT E-208
Time with our French hatch is up. Is it good riddance or au revoir?
In the hot seat
Is the best automotive job in the world actually in miniature scale? Hot Wheels' design boss assures STEPHEN DOBIE it is
Correcting the record
Autocar invented the road test back in 1928 - or did we? KEITH JONES trawls the past to find the true starting point
Road test rebooted
As the Autocar road test forges into its second century, its brief is expanding and it's returning to a familiar place. MATT SAUNDERS explains
Cyber attack
MG is back on the international stage and now trying to return to its sports car roots. MATT SAUNDERS sees if the Cyberster EV can match up to a rival from the present and a relation from the past
KIA PICANTO
As rivals fall by the wayside, Kia's popular city car gets a makeover
MASERATI GRANTURISMO
Latest coupé in a long line of Maserati GT cars hits the UK with V6 power
PORSCHE CAYENNE GTS COUPE
New V8 model gets all the goodies
TOYOTA PRIUS
Back by popular demand with a cool new look and greater driver appeal
