Chris Bangle spent over a decade as the lead designer of BMWBMWGermany, 1918 > present87 models
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Group. He was the company's first ever head of design, and he and protege Adrian van Hooydonk reshaped BMW design into what it is today. He left the company suddenly in 2009 for reasons that have still not emerged. However, he is not afraid to comment on the current state of auto design. In a recent interivew with Auto News, Bangle said that he is disapointed with modern auto design because it does not push far enough. 

"There is a real need for a change and that's just not happening. 

"Even concept cars today simply anticipate the next production model coming down the line. Is this innovation? No. And at the end of the day this is what's preventing car design from moving into a new era," said Bangle.

Bangle says that automakers have come to him to offer design positions, but he has refused them all. Since leaving BMW, he and his wife have moved to Italy and have been converting a 200-year-old villa into a design studio and residency for designers, interns and students. 

"Designing cars consumes you; it has a hold on your spirit which is incredibly powerful. It's not something you can do part time, you have do it with all your heart and soul or you're going to get it wrong," said Bangle.

Source: Automotive News Europe