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Belgian-born Pierre Leclercq has been named by Kia Motors as its new Head of Styling.
Leclercq, who is currently the Head of Design at Great Wall Motors Global and former Brand Design Chief, BMW M, is expected to assume his new position at the end of September. He will be working at Kia’s design headquarters in Namyang, Korea alongside Peter Schreyer, President and Chief Design Officer of Hyundai Motor Group, and Seon Ho Youn, Head of Kia Design Center in Korea.
Leclercq’s appointment, according to a statement issued in Seoul, will accelerate the establishment of a consistent design DNA across the expanding Kia model range.
As the newly-established Head of Styling, Leclercq will be responsible for developing Kia’s long-term design strategy, and lead design innovation for exteriors, interiors, materials and textiles. He will also work to strengthen design co-operation between Kia’s global design network, which is made up of design studios in the USA, Europe and China, as well as Korea.
Kia’s President and current design chief, Schreyer, is quite excited at the development.
“Pierre Leclercq has a unique insight into global vehicle design, and brings with him the necessary experience and expertise to help reinforce Kia’s design identity in the coming years,” Schreyer said. “Design has played a key role in the transformation of the Kia brand, and Pierre will help to ensure our design-led approach remains consistent across new model launches in new segments.”
Leclercq graduated in 1998 from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California in the USA with a degree in Transportation Design. He began his design career in Italy at Zagato followed by Ford’s Ghia studio, then went on to work for BMW in California and Munich as an exterior designer before becoming the head of design for the M performance sub-brand. Mr. Leclercq joins Kia from his latest position as Head of Design for Great Wall Motors.
Leclercq is equally thrilled at his new appointment.
“I have watched the development of the Kia brand closely, and I couldn’t be more excited to become a part of this innovative design team,” he said, adding “Kia has built a reputation for placing design at the heart of new car development, and I’m eager to work with the talented designers who have made the Kia brand synonymous with bold, energetic and modern vehicle design.”
