Ford names Volvo exec to head design operations of Premier

May 29, 2002 the AP reported that Ford Motor Co. on Tuesday named Peter Horbury executive director of design for the Premier Automotive Group.

He will be responsible for overseeing future product design strategy and design processes for the London-based collection of premium brands Aston Martin, Jaguar, Land Rover and Volvo, the automaker said. His appointment is effective immediately.

Horbury has been design director of Volvo Car Corp. since 1991, overseeing studios in Sweden, Spain and California.

"The creation of this new position reflects the importance of design within the Premier Automotive Group," J Mays, Ford's vice president of design, said in a statement.

Horbury, 52, is expected to oversee the PAG's design portfolio and focus on how the brands separate design philosophies are reflected in their public images.

The world's No. 2 automaker announced the departure of the head of PAG last month. Wolfgang Reitzle left as head of the group to become chief executive of the German engineering company Linde AG.

Mark Fields, president and chief executive of Mazda Motor Corp., will take over on July 1.