Citroën creates “DS line” styling department

According to the company, the new organization, which comes into effect on 1 June, will make an even clearer distinction between C-range vehicle styling and DS styling.

The “DS line” styling department, which will be managed by Thierry Metroz, will seek to develop the unique character of the DS and to reinforce its complementarity with the main Citroën C range.

The C-range styling will be managed by Alexandre Malval, former head of styling for the Citroën DS5 and C5 and designer of the C-Airdream.

“To support the move upmarket and international expansion of Citroën, particularly in China, it is important to make a clearer distinction in styling between the C range and the DS line, each in their respective fields,” commented Frédéric Banzet, Managing Director of the Citroën brand.

Thierry Metroz

Thierry Metroz, age 47, is a graduate of France’s Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Arts Appliqués et des Métiers d’Art (ENSAAMA).

He started his career with Renault in 1985, becoming design director for Renault in Barcelona (Spain) in 1999 and opening Renault’s first design centre outside France.

In 2002, he was appointed vice-president, prospects and innovation, and in 2005, vice-president, exterior design for the Renault and Dacia brands.

In 2010, he joined Citroën as director of styling. On 1 June 2012, he takes charge of the DS line styling department.

Alexandre Malval

Alexandre Malval, age 42, is a graduate of ENSAAMA and the Royal College of Art in London.

After spending six years with Renault in exterior design, then with Volkswagen at the brand’s European design centre, he joined Citroën styling in 2001.

Designer of the C-Airdream, concept car and Citroën C4 coupé, then head of styling for the C5 and DS5, he became range manager for Peugeot in 2009. On 1 June 2012, he takes responsibility for Citroën styling, C-range.

The Citroën design team

Carlo Bonzanigo

Carlo Bonzanigo, 42, holds a Bachelor in Science in Transportation Design from the Art Center College of Design and a Masters in Mechanical Engineering, Aeronautic from Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale in Zurich, Switzerland.

He joined PSA PEUGEOT Citroën in 2004 at Citroën’s Creation Centre. In 1995 he took up a designer position at Pininfarina Design in Italy and became Design Project Manager in 2004.

He was named Project Manager of the C3 Picasso programme in May 2004. He became Head of Design for International Cooperation and Concept Car Programmes in 2007, and in 2008 was appointed Head of Concept Cars, Advanced Exterior Design and International Cooperation Programmes.

Bertrand Dantec

Bertrand Dantec, 35, is a graduate of Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Arts et Métiers in Paris, where he specialised in New Product Design.

He joined Peugeot in 1999 as a CAD stylist and was appointed head of the CAD unit in 2002. He worked on several production-model projects (including the 407 and 207) and on the Féline, RC Pique, Caro, 907 and 20cup concept cars. He took part in a range of advance phase projects, such as the 308 and 3008.

In 2006 he was named head of one two studios of Peugeot Styling’s Creation Centres, working on the 308 RCZ concept car project and the production model, as well as the RC4p Hy and ScooterHy3 concept vehicles.

He was appointed Head of the Peugeot range in September 2008 and supervised the development of concept cars and production models. He became Range Manager for future programmes of the Citroën brand in April 2009.

Mark Lloyd

Mark Lloyd, 48, is a graduate of Cambridge University and the Royal College of Art. He began his career at Jaguar, where he stayed for three years.

He joined Citroën in 1989 as an Exterior Designer (working on Activa 2, Xanae, the Xantia estate car and Xsara Picasso) and was named Head of Concept Cars in 1999 (C6 Lignage, Osmose, C-Crosser, C-Airdream, C-Airlounge, C-Airplay and C-Sportlounge).

He became head of the design team in 2005 and was appointed Range Manager for future programmes of the Citroën brand in 2009.

Marc Pinson

Marc Pinson, 42, is a graduate of Ecole Supérieure de Design Industriel Paris.

He joined the Citroën Styling team in 1992 as Interior Designer (Xanae concept car, Xantia restyle, Xsara Picasso). In 1997 he changed position to Exterior Designer (C6 Lignage concept car, C6) and became head of the design team in 2001 before taking the helm at Advanced Styling in 2002. He was appointed Range Manager for future programmes of the Citroën brand in 2008.

(Source: Citroën)