Like him or not, Chris Bangle, BMW Group’s design head has quit his job with the Munich automaker. It was reported that Bangle left “to pursue his own design-related endeavors beyond the auto industry.” Apparently, that’s not the case.
According to BMW Blog, it was Project i, a new unit responsible for producing future minicars, that divided the German automaker with its design head. Sources say that Bangle did not see eye-to-eye with Adrian Von Hooydonk and other members of the BMW board on the future of Project i.
Insiders say that Bangle’s ideas were denied since BMW saw a different future for Project i and the conflict may have been the main reason for Bangle’s departure. People familiar with the matter said that the board tried to offer Bangle other positions including Design Director of DesignworksUSA. Bangle turned down the offer and moved on but said he will cooperate with the German automaker on some level.
Adrian Von Hooydonk will replace Bangle as BMW Group’s design head and will head the design on Project i.
Click here to learn more about Project i.
Source: BMW Blog
