Ford has confirmed that Volvo’s design chief, Steve Mattin, has resigned from his position at the company. Mattin had influence on the design of the C30 hatchback and was instrumental in designing the sleek XC60 crossover, as well as the 2011 S60 Concept. The news comes amid an increased effort by Ford to sell the Swedish automaker to another company.
Details about Mattin’s departure have not been disclosed. It’s possible he was unhappy with the list of firms in the bidding for Volvo, or his decision to leave could be completely unrelated to the sale of the company.
Mattin joined Volvo in 2005 after 17 years at Mercedes-Benz. He is credited with the design of numerous Mercedes models, including the S-, SL-, and SLK-Class, the exotic SLR, the popular M-Class, the controversial R-Class, and the Maybach 57 and 62.
With the design of the new S60 complete, there’s no doubt it will come to market as planned. But it’s not known what other future cars Mattin might have influenced, and if the company’s design direction will change with his departure.
03/29, 9:11 PM
posted by:
idrinorbarsaku
the way I see it, the used him to get the best possible design out for volvo. now that they have the best possible design, they fire him and hire some cheap ass to pretty much just copy everything. LAME!!!
03/29, 9:12 PM
posted by:
idrinorbarsaku
the=they…oops!
03/29, 9:18 PM
posted by:
rodgerdodger
I didn’t read anything about FIRING him.. most designers resign either because they don’t like the direction the marque management is taking, or they simply get a better offer elsewhere. Details have yet to be released, so there’s no point to jumping to any conclusion.
03/29, 10:33 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
I’m guessing at this point in his career he had no desire to learn Chinese.
03/29, 10:45 PM
posted by:
elviososa
don’t be so native…..European like Chinese more that American do.
03/29, 10:46 PM
posted by:
elviososa
that=than
03/29, 10:49 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
native=naive?
03/30, 12:12 AM
posted by:
Zaraza
@ elviososa
Not really:p
Regarding Mattin’s departure, disappointing to some extent, the new S60 it’s a peach, and sets a high standard for the new head of design to conform with.. but that should mean more hot cars from Volvo..
03/30, 9:55 AM
posted by:
Borat
C30 looks good, but the rest of designs are less inspiring. I saw X60 on the street and was not impressed. I guess it is difficult to keep Volvo legacy within current designs. Designers of that caliber do not starve.
03/30, 10:18 AM
posted by:
idrinorbarsaku
you dont just willingly resign from a compnay, unless you find something better, when you are the designer/ceo/etc. the big boss tells you to leave. It turns out to a resignation because having a record that shows you got fired from your last position would most certainly end your career at at a different company. this goes with most other higher positions like ceo/cfo/cd…. the boss tells you that their expectations were a little higher…and such. then they usually give you an offer to resign, which usually contains some kind of perk(money, paid vacation before resigning, company car…etc). With that also comes a chance for you to resign on your own terms, which is really nothing bad in any industry! unless you are wagoner
03/30, 9:20 PM
posted by:
global_lightning
I wasn’t impressed by his work. Too many Jaguar lines (which are nice, on Jaguars) and Bangle-bloat. Volvos should have understated but elegantly clean lines. Save the bulges and bumps for a racier brand.