Chinese Automakers Hiring European and American Designers

China instituted a policy decades ago that for automakers to avoid high tariffs on imported cars they must form joint ventures with Chinese automakers to build factories in China. The government's idea was to give automaker's access to its large market in return for its domestic automaker's gaining experience.

Chinese automakers are beginning to take this policy one step further and hire experienced automotive designers from Europe and North America. The concept is that as the head's of design at the Chinese automakers, Chinese designers will also receive mentorship from more experienced western counterparts. 

The list of formerly western designers now in the China include former MercedesMercedes-BenzGermany, 1924 > present197 models
9852 photos
33 videos
designer Andreas Deufel at Great WallGreat WallChina, 1983 > present5 models
10 photos
, GMGMUnited States of America, 1998 > present8 models
240 photos
designer James Hope at CheryCheryChina, 1997 > present7 models
18 photos
, VolvoVolvoSweden, 1927 > present49 models
4535 photos
6 videos
designer Peter Horbury at GeelyGeelyChina, 1986 > present5 models
6 photos
and MiniMINI (BMW)Germany, 2000 > present15 models
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7 videos
designer Gert Hildebrand at Qoros. 

The Chinese automakers believe that the western designers will create more export-friendly cars that can also be sold in China. 

Qoros is among the most audacious. It plans to reveal a compact, luxury sedan aimed at young people at this year's Geneva Motor Show. The company is a joint venture between Chery and holding company Israel Corporation, and it already has a factory capable of producing 150,000 cars a year. 

The reasons for western automakers moving to China is not entirely one sided. The Chinese automakers are giving their new designers carte blanche for their work. Not only can they work on whatever they want, the designs can come to market much sooner. 

Source: Automotive News Europe

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