Who's Where: Moray Callum to head Ford Americas Design

Moray Callum has been named Executive Director for Ford Americas design effective May 1, 2009. He will be taking over the position from Peter Horbury, who has been appointed to replace Steve Mattin at Volvo Cars.

In his new role, Callum will be charged with leading the design for all cars and trucks designed in Ford's North and South America studios, as well as guide the design of Lincoln and Mercury products. Callum has been Director of Ford's Car and Crossover Design in Dearborn, Michigan, since 2006, where he oversaw the development of the 2010 Ford Taurus and directed the teams that developed the 2010 Mustang, Fusion, and Mercury Milan.

Callum's international design career started in 1982 following studies at the RCA's transportation design course. He began working for Chrysler Corp. UK and then PSA Peugeot-Citroen on passenger and commercial vehicles before joining Ghia (then managed by Ford) six years later. While at the design consultancy he worked on the 1989 Via concept and was part of a team that created the Aston Martin Lagonda Vignale, a project for which he created the exterior design.

Already familiar with the American automaker, Callum joined Ford's Americas studio in 1995 and contributed to a broad range of Ford car and truck designs - including the 1998 Ford Super Duty pickup. He was appointed to lead Mazda's global design in 2001 and subsequently developed the 2003 Mazda 3, 2005 Mazda MX-5, 2006 Mazda 5, 2007 CX-7 and CX-9, and the 2008 Mazda 6, as well as a series of concept vehicles including the Washu, Ibuki, Kabura, and Senku.

"Moray's success both at Mazda and in North America provide him with the experience to lead the Americas design team in developing cars and trucks that will build on our design leadership in the American marketplace," said Ford Group Vice President of Design and Chief Creative Officer, J Mays.

Related Articles:
Design Development: 2010 Ford Taurus
Design Development: Ford Mustang
Design Review: Mazda Senku concept
Mazda Kabura concept - Detroit 2006
Mazda Washu concept - Detroit 2003

By Eric Gallina