147:, that his father had "let me into the secret of drawing in simple perspective when I was extremely young. I was already drawing cars, buses and ships and he showed me how to draw another pencil line to show the front of the bus I was sketching, the wheel at the other side and where the window pillars should go. Suddenly the drawing came to life. It was a strange experience but one that I’ll remember forever," adding that "when I was about nine or ten, I started looking at vehicles and imagining the next one. I’d take the latest Ford Anglia, Triumph TR3 or whatever was current in the late 50s, pick out features that were characteristic of those models and draw future versions. It just seemed to be what a car designer must do."
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375:"We tapped Peter to lead our North American design team for two key reasons: First, he brings to this team nearly three decades of experience as a strong designer and an even better leader. Second, North America remains our most profitable market, and that’s where we need to invest our top design talent. We are more heavily investing in refining the design DNA for this market’s products. So, naturally, I want this team to have even more power to get the job done."
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1992, which still guides the brand today. It was fascinating to see who attended. His family had already held a similar event in Sweden, but people arrived for this from all over Europe – as well as from China, where
Horbury was working when he died. It was sad, but there was amusement, too, because everyone had a Horbury story. As his wife Elisabeth put it, he loved a joke and "would do almost anything" for a laugh.
452:
239:
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To
Warwick University for a moving commemoration of the life of Peter Horbury, described by someone eloquent as "the quiet king of car design". In a long career, Horbury had a finger in many design pies, but he will always be best remembered for his reinvention of Volvo over a dozen magic years from
217:
coupe. He remarked in the past that the Volvo grill under the bumper of the 480ES was a last-minute addition prior to release, when senior Volvo management realised that the car would not have the classic Volvo grille and slanting highlight. Immediately prior to his longer second 'remarkable' stint
395:
and was given the task of renewing the design language of all of Ford
America's brands in the wake of sliding sales. He was responsible for the implementation of Ford's 'Red, White and Bold' design strategy that aimed to make American Fords more distinctively American in their aesthetic. This is
258:
Concept that would influence Volvo design for years to come. He was instrumental in moving the company beyond their traditional boxy look with a new design language for the brand. This new look was characterised by distinctive shoulder lines that ran the length of the car, more curved surfaces,
508:
After a decade leading all of the Geely brands' designs, and at the age of 71, Horbury stepped back from his Geely role and joined Lotus as Senior Vice
President Design. In this newly created role, Horbury oversaw the activities of existing Lotus designers Russell Carr and Ben Payne, and their
487:
In late 2011, Horbury was appointed Senior Vice
President of Design for Geely with the responsibility of overseeing the design of all Geely brands and establishing a network of Geely design studios around the world. In this role he supervised the design work of Geely's brands, including Geely,
464:
In May 2009, Horbury returned to Volvo as Vice
President, Design, replacing Steve Mattin who left the company at the end of March 2009. The first public sight of his work from his third stint at Volvo, and the first for Volvo's new owners Geely, was the Volvo Concept Universe shown at the 2011
165:, Horbury noted in 1998, he kept his work separate from his family life. His wife and children live in England, and he then worked a full week in Sweden, returning home on weekends. He said, "the only car pictures at my home in England are the ones my son draws."
183:
to honor the late designer's contributions to the automotive industry, his impact on the design community and his ability to nurture young creative talent. The first of the fellowship awards was presented by
Horbury's widow, Elisabeth Mona Jotun Viden Horbury.
359:. With talented designers in charge of each of PAG's brands' design, Horbury had little to do and in January 2004 was promoted to Ford of America as Executive Design Director of all Ford's American brands, reporting to Ford's group vice president of Design,
448:. The thinking was to infuse Ford's American brands with a distinctive style in an attempt to make them more appealing to American buyers who are demanding riskier designs that are recognisable from distance.
625:
963:
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said
Horbury "was not simply a designer. He was a brilliant mind with a deep knowledge about how we, human beings, interact with that complex object called automobile."
424:– all vehicles designed/facelifted under his supervision. He also oversaw the introduction of a similarly bold frontal treatment to Lincoln as previewed by the 2007
570:
886:
218:
at Volvo, Horbury had worked in the United
Kingdom for MGA Developments Ltd. In addition he worked on some key Ford product programs in Europe, such as the
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168:
Horbury died suddenly while traveling in China on 29 June 2023, at age 73. Following a memorial service in
Gothenburg, Sweden, a commemoration at the
99:
noted that Horbury possessed an infectious natural charm, humor and modesty — in sharp contrast to many ego-driven automotive personalities.
49:
to prominence in the design world — Horbury led the design of more than fifty cars over the course of his fifty year career, including the
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was attended by friends and colleagues from across Europe and China. At the service, he was remembered as "the quiet king of car design."
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Volvo Cars, "Peter Horbury, Vice President Design, Volvo Car Corporation appointed to new position within Geely Group", 28 Oct 2011,
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569:, "Profile - Peter Horbury: Vice president’s lifelong hobby of making cars better by design", 29 Nov 2011,
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especially the case with the forthright 'Hi I'm Dave' three bar chrome grilles as illustrated by the 2006
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417:
397:
550:
726:
807:, "Peter Horbury returns to head Volvo design; Moray Callum in as Ford's design chief", 1 Apr 2009,
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rounded noses, and softer, less utilitarian interiors. He contributed to many designs including the
340:
31:
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137:
22:(27 January 1950 – 29 June 2023) was a British car designer widely known for his design work for
223:
740:
Ford Press Release, "Ford Names Peter Horbury to Oversee North American Brands", 10 Dec 2003,
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983:
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Peter Horbury, who transitioned Volvo from boxy to curvy, remembered as 'giant in car design'
272:
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626:"Six Hot Designers Making Cars Look Cool Again; An Englishman Softens Volvo's Sharp Edges"
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8:
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791:, "There is "no stopping" China's car design industry says Peter Horbury", 9 May 2019,
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brand during his eleven years from 1991 as Design Director. Arriving after the 1992
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154:, graduating in 1972 with a degree in Industrial Design. He later attended the
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The son of Donald Horbury (1926-1981), Peter was born on 27 January 1950 in
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in London graduating with a master's degree in automotive design in 1974.
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coincidentally in the same school year as prominent British car designer,
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between 2011 and 2021 — and as Senior Vice President of Design at
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887:"Stefan Sielaff to head up Geely design; Peter Horbury moves to Lotus"
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823:, "Volvo design chief Steve Mattin leaves company", 27 Mar 2009,
913:"Peter Horbury explains new Lotus design role and future product"
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125:
78:
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assumed the responsibility of Design Director of Volvo in 2005.
787:
360:
837:"How British designer Peter Horbury shaped Lynk&Co's look"
725:, "People: Peter Horbury – Ford Design Director", 3 May 2005,
451:
670:"Car Design News launches the Peter Horbury Fellowship Award"
279:. He also contributed to the remaining line up with the 2000
35:
23:
872:
Geely, "Peter Horbury, Executive Vice President of Design",
238:
773:"Remembering Automotive Designer Peter Horbury, 1950-2023"
536:"Remembering Automotive Designer Peter Horbury, 1950-2023"
319:, with the last Horbury Volvo of this era being the 2006
26:
and his roles as Executive Design Director, Americas for
246:
Horbury is widely known for leading the revival of the
254:
had been styled, Horbury made an impact with the 1992
703:, "Peter Horbury - Changing the Face of Ford", 2004,
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series. During this stint he also worked on the 2006
112:'s, Designer of the Year in 1998 as well as the 2020
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People educated at King Edward VII School, Sheffield
335:In 2002, after having been offered a position with
455:Volvo Concept You at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show
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299:. He also oversaw the 1998 facelift of the
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758:, "First Drive: Volvo C30", 12 Dec 2006,
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797:
600:"In memoriam: Peter Horbury (1950-2023)"
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34:, Executive Vice President of Design at
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303:series which transformed them into the
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30:(2004-2009), Chief Designer at Ford's
885:McLachlan, James (6 September 2021).
866:
854:
684:"People Awards 2023 winners revealed"
593:
591:
387:Horbury ran a staff of 800 including
339:, Horbury joined Ford as head of its
910:
672:. Car Design News. 21 November 2023.
597:
686:. Car Design News. 8 December 2023.
650:Steven Cropley (21 November 2023).
617:
581:Old Edwardians, Form 1(4) 1961/62 (
213:in the Netherlands, working on the
13:
974:Alumni of the Royal College of Art
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549:Silvia Baruffaldi (1 July 2023).
432:in Detroit, followed by the 2009
16:British car designer (1950–2023)
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363:. Mays explained the decision:
275:, closely followed by the 1998
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624:Jim McCraw (21 October 1998).
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343:design studios which included
205:Horbury started his career at
181:Peter Horbury Fellowship Award
106:Horbury received UK magazine,
1:
911:Bird, Guy (14 January 2022).
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969:British automobile designers
775:. Car & Driver Magazine.
534:Mark McCourt (3 July 2023).
323:. Ex-Mercedes-Benz designer
116:Lifetime Achievement Award.
7:
585:), accessed 6 February 2007
551:"REMEMBERING PETER HORBURY"
45:Widely noted for returning
10:
1005:
771:Mike Duff (23 June 2011).
598:Bird, Guy (2 July 2023).
187:
161:In an interview with the
150:Horbury later studied at
428:concept revealed at the
341:Premier Automotive Group
283:station wagon, the 2001
32:Premier Automotive Group
330:
85:— as well as the
826:, accessed 1 May 2020.
706:, accessed 1 May 2020.
509:respective studios in
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456:
444:, and facelifted 2011
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371:
243:
202:
143:In 2020, Horbury told
130:King Edward VII School
97:Automotive News Europe
875:, accessed 1 May 2020
863:, accessed 1 May 2020
810:, accessed 1 May 2020
794:, accessed 1 May 2020
761:, accessed 1 May 2020
743:, accessed 1 May 2020
728:, accessed 1 May 2020
572:, accessed 1 May 2020
480:
454:
382:
369:
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200:
170:University of Warwick
128:, England, attending
20:Peter Douglas Horbury
460:Return to Volvo Cars
209:and subsequently at
156:Royal College of Art
101:Auto Design Magazine
954:People from Alnwick
467:Shanghai Motor Show
785:Ravenscroft, Tom,
752:Weaver, Alistair,
699:Vasilash, Gary S.
566:The Yorkshire Post
553:. Auto&Design.
485:
457:
440:, facelifted 2010
385:
372:
291:SUV, and the 2004
267:, the sporty 1997
261:Mitsubishi Carisma
244:
203:
652:"My week in cars"
628:. New York Times.
389:Patrick Schiavone
305:Volvo S70 and V70
152:Newcastle College
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482:Lynk & Co 01
370:2008 Ford Taurus
179:inaugurated the
87:Ford Interceptor
75:Lynk & Co 01
71:Chrysler Horizon
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989:Volvo people
984:Geely people
920:. Retrieved
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894:. Retrieved
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844:. Retrieved
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821:Autoblog.com
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607:. Retrieved
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486:
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393:Moray Callum
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353:Aston Martin
334:
325:Steve Mattin
245:
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201:Volvo 480 ES
193:Early career
180:
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149:
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138:Martin Smith
123:
108:
105:
100:
95:
83:Lotus Eletre
44:
19:
18:
949:2023 deaths
944:1950 births
755:Edmunds.com
722:Motor Trend
538:. Hemmings.
446:Lincoln MKX
442:Lincoln MKZ
438:Lincoln MKT
434:Lincoln MKS
426:Lincoln MKR
418:Ford Fusion
414:Ford Taurus
406:Ford Taurus
398:Ford Fusion
383:Lincoln MKR
287:, the 2003
265:S40 and V40
207:Chrysler UK
91:Lincoln MKR
979:Volvo Cars
938:Categories
521:References
504:Lotus Cars
473:Geely Auto
402:Ford Focus
349:Land Rover
234:Volvo Cars
211:Volvo Cars
120:Background
93:concepts.
36:Geely Auto
422:Ford Flex
420:and 2009
301:Volvo 850
269:Volvo C70
256:Volvo ECC
252:Volvo 850
242:Volvo ECC
134:Sheffield
67:Ford Flex
51:Volvo C70
515:Coventry
846:13 June
841:Autocar
511:Norfolk
436:, 2010
416:, 2010
412:, 2010
408:, 2008
404:, 2008
400:, 2008
315:, 2006
311:, 2006
228:Granada
126:Alnwick
109:Autocar
79:LEVC TX
922:3 July
896:3 July
788:Dezeen
609:3 July
496:, and
494:Proton
361:J Mays
355:, and
345:Jaguar
224:Escort
220:Sierra
188:Career
583:photo
498:Lotus
357:Volvo
248:Volvo
215:480ES
47:Volvo
40:Lotus
24:Volvo
924:2023
898:2023
848:2022
611:2023
513:and
391:and
331:Ford
295:and
289:XC90
226:and
89:and
77:and
63:XC90
61:and
28:Ford
321:C30
317:S80
313:V70
309:C70
297:V50
293:S40
285:S60
281:V70
277:S80
273:TWR
140:.
132:in
59:V50
55:V70
42:.
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889:.
839:.
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