Exclusive: Joel Piaskowski to head Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design NA

Thanks to our contacts within the automotive design community, Car Design News can confirm that Joel Piaskowski, who resigned from his position as Chief Designer at Hyundai's North American design studios on December 19, 2008, will be taking over the position previously held by Gorden Wagener at Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design. He starts his new job on Monday, January 12.

Mercedes-Benz has made a few changes to its design team since taking over the Carlsbad facility from Chrysler last year, notably the retirement of Prof. Peter Pfeiffer and the appointment of Gorden Wagener to the position of Head of Design. Piaskowski has now been chosen to head Advanced Design at the new facility in Southern California.

Joel Piaskowski joined Hyundai and Kia North America as Chief Designer six years ago, having been responsible for several Hyundai concept models - including the HCD8, HCD9 Talus and HCD10 Hellion. His other accolades include the interior and exterior design of the Hyundai Genesis luxury sedan and Coupe, the Santa Fe SUV and the Veracruz and Elantra exteriors. His sudden resignation is said to have come as a shock to the company.

A graduate of the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, Piaskowski began his career 20 years ago at General Motors working on production exterior and interior design for the Chevrolet, Pontiac, Opel/ Vauxhall/ Holden and Buick brands.

While at GM, Piaskowski also spent one year working at the Opel Design Center in Rüsselsheim, Germany; six months at the Isuzu Design Center in Fujisawa, Japan (which included a one-month sub-assignment in Torino, Italy); and a spell at Suzuki's Design Center in Hamamatsu, Japan.

Related Articles:
Gorden Wagener succeeds Prof. Peter Pfeiffer as Mercedes-Benz Head of Design
Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design North America relocates
Chrysler to close Pacifica Advanced Design Studios

By Eric Gallina