Kia Motors boosts its design edge with former BMW designer John Buckingham. As their new Design Exterior Director, Buckingham will fortify Kia's progressive design philosophy and next-gen vehicle exteriors.
Kia Motors is currently the second-largest automobile manufacturer in its home base, and it announced the hiring of Buckingham as its design exterior director on Monday, June 5. With his addition to the company, Kia expects to boost its design capabilities.
The announcement was a bit delayed because Buckingham already started to work as the head of Kia Next Design Exterior Group on June 1. Prior to his move, he held the same post in luxury car companies, including BMW, Faraday Future, and Bentley Motors.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the new director of design exterior at Kia Motors will directly report to the vice president and head of Kia Global Design Group, Kim Teck Koun. Buckingham joined the BMW Group in 2005 and moved to Bentley Motors in 2018. In 2022, he joined Faraday Future, and this is apparently his shortest stint, as he is joining Kia Motors this month.
Buckingham is a graduate of Coventry University with a degree in automotive design. He was credited with creating the new 8 Series concept at the BMW Designworks studio based in Los Angeles.
"I look forward to working with the hugely talented design team to help further define the brand's Opposites United progressive design philosophy and apply this approach to the next generation of Kia vehicle exteriors," Buckingham said in a statement. "Together, we will build on the hugely impressive current products and work towards the next generation of design expression."
"I will collaborate with exceptional colleagues to effectively incorporate the design philosophy of 'Opposite United' a creative fusion of contrasting concepts into Kia's exterior design," The Korea Economic Daily further quoted the new Kia Motor’s exterior design head. "I will strive to secure a new dimension of design capabilities."
Photo by: Nils Bogdanobs/Unsplash


Oil Prices Jump After New U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Supply Concerns
US Imposes Fresh Iran Oil Sanctions Despite Progress on Ceasefire Talks
US Dollar Slips as Markets Weigh Potential US-Iran Peace Deal and Oil Price Outlook
US Launches New Trade Investigation Into Vietnam Over Intellectual Property Concerns
Samsung Union Dispute Escalates Over Semiconductor Bonus Vote
South Korea Central Bank Holds Interest Rates Steady Amid Inflation Concerns
DOJ Investigates Group Linked to Reid Hoffman Over E. Jean Carroll Lawsuit Funding
JPMorgan Sees Biotech Sector at Turning Point, Upgrades Top Pharma Stocks
SpaceX IPO Could Become Largest in History with $1.8 Trillion Valuation Target
Blue Origin New Glenn Rocket Explodes During Launch Pad Test, Delaying Space Ambitions
Oil Prices Set for Sharp Weekly Losses as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Hopes Ease Supply Concerns
Gold Prices Slip as Stronger Dollar and Iran Peace Talk Uncertainty Weigh on Market
Xiaomi Shares Drop After Weak Q1 Earnings Amid Rising Smartphone Costs
CTOC Goes Live on Bitget Wallet Trading, Expanding Global Access to AI-Powered Healthcare Data Ecosystem
Universal Music Group Rejects Pershing Square Takeover Proposal
Samsung to Invest $1.5 Billion in Vietnam Semiconductor Testing Plant by 2027
Dollar Gains Slightly as U.S.-Iran Tensions Keep Forex Markets on Edge 



