BMW designer Chapman joins Hyundai Motor America

Former BMW AG designer Christopher Chapman has been named chief designer for Hyundai Motor America, effective Jan. 3. He will lead new vehicle and concept design at the Hyundai Design Center in Irvine, Calif.

"We are thrilled to have Christopher Chapman as chief designer for Hyundai and look forward to continuing the strong momentum of our vehicle designs," Oh Suk-geun, senior executive vice president of the Hyundai Design Center, said in a statement.

Hyundai spokesman Jim Trainor said Chapman will replace Phil Zak, Hyundai's previous chief designer, who left in March to return to work with General Motors. Hyundai has been without a chief designer since then.

Chapman began his career with Isuzu Motors Ltd. in 1989, where he designed the award-winning XU-1 show car, which debuted at the 1993 Tokyo Motor Show.

He joined BMW in 1994 and was appointed director of automotive design in 2002. Chapman oversaw several advanced and production vehicles for the company, including the X5, X3, Z4 and the first BMW 1-series E87.

He also directed the transportation design department for BMW beginning in 2008, which works with multiple partners in the aviation, marine and public mobility sectors though BMW's DesignworksUSA group.

By Danielle Emerson- Automotive News