Hyundai design chief Joel Piaskowski joining Mercedes

Muamer Hodzic January 9, 2009

In the last few years, Hyundai’s car design has improved dramatically. This is all thanks to Joel Piaskowski (far right in picture), the designer responsible for the clean, aerodynamic look of the new Hyundai Genesis sedan and coupe. He will be joining Mercedes-Benz at its design studios in California, according to Car Design News.

Piaskowski, who quit Hyundai last month, will become head of design at Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design in Irvine, Calif., starting Monday, Jan 12. He spent 13 years at General Motors working on Pontiac, Chevrolet, Buick and Opel vehicles before joining Hyundai in 2003. He designed many of Hyundai’s recent concept cars.

From left, Phil Patton, Edward T. Welburn Jr., Franz von Holzhausen and Joel Piaskowski. (Photograph by Norman Mayersohn for The New York Times