Ex-Peugeot head of design Gilles Vidal joins Renault
Vidal becomes the second high profile designer to join Renault this week, following the appointment of ex-Seat design lead Mesonero-Romanos
Former Peugeot design chief Gilles Vidal has been appointed to a senior design role at Renault, two days after announcing his departure from Peugeot.
In September he will join up with the Group’s current Executive Vice President of Corporate Design, Laurens van den Acker, who has held his position since 2009.
As Peugeot’s former design chief, Vidal was instrumental in creating Peugeot’s sharp looking current line-up. He took the reins at Peugeot in 2010, and has since overseen the release of the latest 208 supermini, 2008, 3008, and 5008 SUVs and the 508 saloon and estate.
Until now, Vidal has spent his entire career at PSA; before Peugeot he worked at Citroen, joining in 1996, where he oversaw the design of the C4 and C4 Picasso.
Speaking of the appointment, Laurens van den Acker said: “Gilles has an intimate knowledge of creating strong and attractive design-led brands. His widely recognized experience, his sense of innovation and passion for design will be great assets for Groupe Renault.”
Vidal’s appointment makes up a double coup for Renault, following the recent appointment of ex-SEAT/Cupra designer Alejandro Mesonero-Romanos.
Meanwhile, Matthias Hossann has filled Vidal’s vacant position at Peugeot, moving up from his current role as Peugeot’s head of concept vehicles. There, Hossann was credited with the design of the e-Legend concept.
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