Who's Where: Nicolas Huet named PATAC exterior design director

Nicholas Huet has joined PATAC as exterior design director. Based in Shanghai, he will report directly to design director Holt Ware.

French-born Huet, who spent 20 years at BMW as a designer, is in charge of the exterior PATAC design department, working on Chinese-specific programs as well as GM Global programs.

Speaking to Car Design News, he explains, "I have been working 20 years in various departments in the BMW Design studio in Munich, and I was looking for a new kick in my career and life. The offer from PATAC combined experiencing one of the greatest car markets worldwide [China] in a successful joint venture between two leaders in the car industry [GM and SAIC]."

Shanghai's cultural, economical and artistic dynamism played a large part in attracting Huet to the position, and he is looking forward to be a part of designing great products that will attract more customers.

"My goal is to support a young, extremely motivated and dynamic team with my experience acquired in Germany," he says. "PATAC is already very strong with its dual cultural background merging years of experience from GM side with a very fast growing Chinese car industry represented by SAIC.

"I hope that my European background could create a precious synergy using all the positive aspects of these 3 very different continents," he added.

A Bachelor of Science in Transportation Design graduate from Art Center College of Design Europe, Huet's impressive time at BMW included the design of the latest BMW 1-Series hatch 3 and 5-door (F20, F21), the 5-Series Touring (E61), 7-Series (E65 facelift) and the production 4-Series coupe (F32).

Huet was also design project leader for the BMW Zagato coupe and roadster, while he – as a hobby – worked on the graphics of all of the BMW Williams F1 cars, trucks, the garage and the livery and the BMW Sauber F1 racecar and other BMW racecars.

By Rufus Thompson