Christopher Reitz joins Riversimple

Former Alfa Romeo Director of Design, Christopher Reitz, has joined the UK-based open-source car company, Riversimple.

In a statement on Riversimple's website, Reitz said: "This really is a step into something different, to design cars that really are the future. Increasingly I have felt that it does not make much sense to move tons of steel around, using a lot of fuel and resources.  There has to be a better way and I think Riversimple has found it, not only with its hydrogen fuel-cell car but with the whole concept of the company, which has as its goal complete sustainability."

The designer left the Italian firm last spring. A relative of Wolfgang Porsche, Reitz graduated from Art Center Europe in Switzerland and began his career at Volkswagen in Wolfsburg in 1993. Reitz joined Audi in Ingolstadt from 1996 to 1998, where he was in charge of Advance Design. In 1999 he joined Nissan and worked in various roles, including studio chief designer and member of the Global Nissan Design Strategy. During his tenure he worked on the 2001 CrossBow, 2002 Micra C+C, 2003 Evalia and 2004 Nissan Qashqai concept cars. He later joined the Fiat Group and became the head of the Turin based carmaker's Styling Center in January 2005. He was appointed to the Design Director position at Alfa Romeo in 2007.

To date, Riversimple has unveiled a prototype technology demonstrator, developed under the guidance of freelance designer, Jonathan Holt. The firm's vehicles form part of an overall system — with users accessing cars when they need them — and are designed to minimize overall lifetime environmental impact. Crucially, the firm is publishing its design and engineering blueprints online, with the aim that the wider community will develop and improve the vehicle's overall design. The firm's backers include members of the Piëch family. Reitz's first job will be to design the hydrogen powered, carbon-fiber bodies cars, which are due to appear first in the UK city of Leicester, in 2012.

We are hoping to speak with Christopher about his new role very soon.

Related Aritcles:
Who's Where: Christopher Reitz appointed Design Director at Alfa Romeo
New Car: Riversimple Urban Car Concept

By Joe Simpson