BREAKING: Head of Peugeot design Gilles Vidal departs company
Designer, who is credited with transforming the maker’s fortunes, will be replaced by Matthias Hossann
Peugeot has announced that, from tomorrow, Matthias Hossann will take over from Gilles Vidal as its new head of design.
The French brand’s current head of design, Vidal, will be replaced after 10 years at Peugeot and over 20 years at the PSA Group, having joined Citroen in 1996 as a designer. PSA has not commented on the reason for Vidal’s departure.
Vidal, who recently scooped Autocar’s Design Hero award, designed models such as the 2008, 3008 and 5008 SUVs, as well as the latest 208 and 508 models. He is widely credited with transforming Peugeot’s fortunes since he joined the firm in 2010, introducing sharper designs.
The man who will replace him is currently head of concept vehicles at Peugeot, having taken the post in 2013, following a five-year stint in Citroen and DS’s Shanghai design studio.
Hossann is best known for the 2018 e-Legend concept, inspired by Peugeot’s classic 504 coupe and which, though it will not be built, will be an influence on future Peugeots.
He also helped Vidal design the Peugeot 2008 and 208.
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