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?
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der June 21, 2023-Ausgabe von Autocar UK.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der June 21, 2023-Ausgabe von Autocar UK.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Poster car that went from rusty to trusty
One evening, two years ago, George Pappas was being driven down his local high street by a mate and mulling over whether to replace his Mk4 Golf diesel, a recent purchase that was boring him to death, when his girlfriend, also in the car, spotted an old BMW 3 Series at the side of the road with a 'for sale' sign in the window.
THE SEVEN-SEATER THAT VOLVO DARE NOT KILL OFF
The current-gen XC90 has been on sale since 2015 for good reason
GENESIS ELECTRIFIED G80
Where the story begins, in the Hyundai premium marque’s luxury saloon
LEXUSLBX
Can you shrink premium quality to fit an SUV this small? We now know
Rolls boss ready to 'define the next chapter'
Nine months into the job, Rolls-Royce CEO and car guy Chris Brownridge tells STEVE CROPLEY what he's learned and where the firm's heading
Once more, with feeling
AC Cars' recreation of the classic MkII Cobra is at first glance a faithful facsimile of a 1960s performance benchmark. SIMON HUCKNALL drives it
MERCEDES-BENZ CLE
Does a PHEV set-up work in a coupé that exudes such old-school vibes?
ANALOGUE SUPERSPORT
Lotus Elise specialist uprates 1990s icon with an eye on track days
ALPINE A290
The hot hatch is alive and well, and living in France. On both road and track, there's much to savour`
UK HANGS ON TO OLD CARS
Average car age climbs as high prices dampen demand for new models
