Skoda appoints new Head of Design

Skoda Auto has appointed Oliver Stefani as its new international Head of Design. He will take charge from September 1, 2017.

Previously, Oliver was also working within The Volkswagen Group. Most recently, the 53-year-old was Head of Exterior Design for the Volkswagen brand. Stefani studied design in Braunschweig and Pasadena, California. Numerous Volkswagen brand production vehicles from the last ten years, as well as a number of concept cars, bear his signature.

On Oliver’s appointment, Skoda CEO Bernhard Maier said, “In recent years, Skoda’s design has developed extremely well. Most recently, we have also transferred the new and expressive design language to our SUV models. And now, Oliver Stefani will instigate the next stage of development. He will design our cars to have even greater emotional resonance and will lead them into the era of digitalisation and the electrification of vehicle manufacturing. Oliver Stefani has great creative potential. I am looking forward to working with him.”

Throughout his career with Volkswagen since 2002, Oliver Stefani has proven his ability on more than one occasion. Many VW production cars from the last ten years and numerous concept cars bear his signature. He played a crucial role in developing the Up!, Polo, Jetta, Tiguan and the current Golf models, as well as the ID show car family.

Christian Strube, Board Member for Skoda’s Technical Development commented, “I am convinced that Oliver Stefani will consistently continue to develop the Skoda brand’s new design language and successfully elevate it to the next level. His expertise will allow him to delight Skoda customers with future models. He is the perfect fit for the Skoda brand.”