Η Hyundai και η Kia έχουνε κερδίσει τον κοινό της Αμερικής -και όχι μόνο- και έτσι οι Κορεάτες θέλουν να μεγαλώσουν ακόμη περισσότερο τις πωλήσεις τους στην Αμερική. Ο λόγος που ο κόσμος προτιμά πλέον τα Κορεάτικα αυτοκίνητα είναι ότι εκτός ότι διαθέτουν καλύτερη ποιότητα κατασκευής, η σχεδίαση τους μπορεί να ανταγωνιστεί με μεγάλη άνεση τα Γερμανικά, Γαλλικά, Ιταλικά, Ιαπωνικά και Αμερικάνικα αυτοκίνητα.
Το 2006 η Kia είχε “κλέψει” τον Peter Schreyer από την Audi και τώρα η Hyundai, “έκλεψε” από την BMW τον Christopher Chapman, και τον έκανε επικεφαλή σχεδιασμού στο σχεδιαστικό κέντρο της Hyundai στο Irvine της Καλιφόρνια. Ο Chapman έχει εμπειρία 22 ετών και δούλευε για την ΒΜW από το 1994. Αυτός ήταν υπεύθυνος για τα X5 Sport Activity, Vehicle X Coupe concept, CS1 concept ενώ συμμετείχε και στη σχεδίαση των X5, X3, Z4 και της πρώτης γενιάς της Σειράς 1
[Πηγή: Hyundai]
[learn_more caption=”Δελτίο Τύπου”]
COSTA MESA, Calif., Dec. 22, 2011– Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc. (HATCI) announced that Christopher Chapman has been named chief designer of the Hyundai Design Center in Irvine, Calif. Chapman will be responsible for new vehicle and concept design for Hyundai.
“With over 22 years of experience in the industry working on esteemed automotive brands, Chris provides a level of talent that will help further our design portfolio,” said
SukGeun Oh, Head of Design, Senior Executive Vice President Hyundai Design Center. “We are thrilled to have Christopher Chapman as chief designer for Hyundai and look forward to continuing the strong momentum of our vehicle designs.”
Chris joined Isuzu Technical Center of America in Cerritos, Calif. in 1989 and was the designer selected for the exterior of the XU-1 show car, which won Best Concept at its 1993 Tokyo Motor Show debut. In 1994, Chris joined the BMW Group at DesignworksUSA in Newbury Park, California. Among the variety of concept and production programs, Chris designed the exteriors of the X5 Sport Activity Vehicle and X Coupe concept car. Chris and his family relocated to Munich, Germany for a two year assignment where he immersed himself in the BMW culture. There he also designed the CS1 concept shown at the Geneva Auto Salon in 2002, followed by the 1 Series production Coupe and its derivatives.
In 2002, Chris was appointed Director of Automotive Design and has been responsible
for guiding several advanced and production vehicles including the new X5, X3, and Z4. Since 2008, Chris has additionally directed the Transportation Design department, which includes Designworks’ external partners in aviation, marine, and public mobility.
“Christopher Chapman is an outstanding addition to the design team at HATCI,” said John Krafcik, president and chief executive officer, Hyundai Motor America. “We are proud to add such a talented individual to lead the team of dedicated designers at HATCI that will continue to develop innovative vehicles for both the United States and global auto markets.”
A native of Pasadena, Calif., Christopher Chapman graduated from Art Center College of Design with a Bachelor of Science degree in Transportation Design.
[/learn_more]