Automotive design in the 2020's...... Image Unavailable, Please Login Rivian VP of Vehicle Design Jeff Hammoud on right PS: jm2; some good images of the clay guys on the Rivian website
There are 2 main reasons. One is that these companies are not car companies, they are "forward thinking" electronics companies. Everything will eventually be controlled by an app on a touchscreen, so why not do it now. The second reason ties in nicely with the first reason. Making an app to control things is the companies bread and butter, cheap and easy. Creating real buttons and knobs gets very complicated with things like the "feel" of a rotating knob or the "click" of a switch. It is something that car companies spend a fortune on and they already have years of experience with these things. The new companies have no past knowledge to start from and don't necessarily know what the "right" feeling should be or how to get it.
Interesting the distinctly different market approaches between Rivian and Bollinger.... Image Unavailable, Please Login
If they're looking for what an indicator stalk should feel like to activate, look no further than a 2015 Ford Edge. The best feeling indicator stalk ever, it's a nice smooth, soft, wonderful activation. By contrast, the Porsche Cayenne's indicator stalk is horrible. When you activate it, it makes a harsh crack, like piece of snapping plastic. It feels like you break it every time - just horrible. All the best, Andrew.
And on a different, but entirely related subject......GM announces closing of 5 assembly plants, and discontinues more models/platforms.... https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2018/11/26/gm-general-motors-chevrolet-volt-cruze-impala/2114114002/ Image Unavailable, Please Login (you may notice that no trucks were cancelled.......)
Nice. I really some of the features such as presetting the driver's seat upon approach and using a camera for the rear view mirror. I lament the loss of tactile dash buttons and a V6 would be smoother than 4-cylinder offerings. A V6 would feel more Range Rover-ish to me. The layout and aesthetics both inside and out look amazing. For some reason, my wife doesn't like the exterior but can't articulate why. All the best, Andrew.
No trucks or SUVs cancelled. Wonder what happens when there is a market change and there are no cars left in the line up. I still can't fathom how even at the existing sales volumes regular cars cannot be set to be profitable. There was an article within the last few days that said the US plants are set for single platform production while the Japanese lines are more flexible to handle different platforms. What is the story on how much of these staff reductions are coming out of Design in management, designers and the clay modelers? I am afraid that GM will again cut loose those that had the sensitivity of form (happened with the loss of the old timer clay modelers). I am afraid that GM is trying to through development money at the wall for self driving and mobility solutions in some hope that it makes them look "cool" instead of concentrating on the products. When these investments prove to have been a squandering of corporate money the top execs responsible for it will have retired with their sacks of cash. The carnage they created will be someone else's problem.
I tried the 4-cyl Discovery and within 200ft of the dealership said that I didn't like it. Wheezy, feels like a Dodge rental car.
They put the new Design bldg on 'hold, after they broke ground last spring. This was 50 years in the making. Many of my friends at Design are taking the early out packages. They will be the last holdovers from the 'Jordan era'. Bill Mitchell would never believe what has happened. It's a whole new era......once again.
This was in a bowling alley parking lot in Orange County on Sunday. (The new Evoque) Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
My biggest issue with the Evoque is that they are so small inside. The back seat is like a coupe back seat, no leg room, no headroom. (but I am a giant). I will see this on Thursday at the LA Autoshow. John, will you be in LA?
They will be losing a bunch of the knowledge and the instilled GM Design greatness. Guess the suits will have finally erased whatever vestiges of "the ghost of Harley Earl" have been left. Tragic. I don't blame any of the ones taking the exit plan - no use beating ones head against the brick wall as there won't be any breakthroughs for any of them. Maybe you will get some new instructors at CCS who can impart some knowledge to a receptive audience of moldable students. Jeff
I will have a better idea after the car show on Thursday. More trucks and less cars is not a very nice direction to go from most designers points of view, I am sure.
Ironic you mention that. I've had several key GM Design people ask about teaching at CCS. They recently hired a Lincoln designer to teach the Senior Studio class. Stay tuned. Pat Schivone from Whirlpool/Ford just got hired in the Product Design Dept. J.Mays took his position at Whirlpool.
