Peter Horbury Death: British car designer, who was known for his design work for Volvo, Peter Horbury sadly passed away at the age of 73 on 29 June 2023.
What happened to Peter Horbury?
Peter Horbury, a highly respected car designer, died unexpectedly while visiting colleagues in China. With a career spanning almost 50 years, Horbury has made a significant contribution to the automotive industry.
He has worked for various car manufacturers, including Ford, Chrysler, Bentley, Rolls-Royce and most recently, Group Lotus, where he served as Executive Vice President of Design. Horbury’s most notable achievement was spearheading Volvo’s transition from boxy to rounded design, bringing a sleek and luxurious aesthetic to the brand.
His influence extended beyond cars, as he also worked on motorcycles and the updated London Taxi. The cause of his death has not been released, but his death has deeply saddened the automotive community, which recognizes his talent and ability to inspire and challenge design conventions.
Peter Horbury’s legacy as a pioneering automotive designer will be remembered and appreciated by many.
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Is Peter Horbury dead or alive?
Peter Horbury, the famous car designer, has died. He died suddenly while visiting colleagues in China. The cause of his death has not been announced.
News of his death saddened the automotive community, and his peers and colleagues in the industry expressed their condolences.
Who was Peter Horbury?
Peter D. Horbury was a celebrated British car designer, best known for his influential design work at Volvo. He has held various notable positions in the automotive industry, including Senior Vice President of Design at Lotus, Executive Director of Design, Americas for Ford from 2004 to 2009, and Executive Vice President of Design at Geely Auto from 2011 to 2021.
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Horbury’s remarkable career spanned more than 40 years, during which he played an active role in the design of more than 50 cars, as well as trucks, buses and motorcycles. His exceptional talent and contribution to car design have been recognized with prestigious accolades, such as being named Autocar’s Designer of the Year in 1998.
Sadly, Peter Horbury passed away on 29th June 2023, leaving a lasting legacy in the industry he dedicated his life to.
How did Peter Horbury die?
Peter D. Horbury, a famous British car designer, died at the age of 73. Horbury, widely known for his significant contribution to the transformation of Volvo’s design, died in China while visiting colleagues.
During his nearly 50-year career, he held a variety of influential positions, including Senior Vice President of Design at Lotus, Executive Director of Design at Ford and Executive Vice President of Design at Geely Auto.
Horbury’s talent went beyond design, as he possessed a natural charm, a great sense of humor and a deep understanding of the cultural nuances of the brands he worked for. He played a crucial role in guiding the long-term design language of Chrysler, Ford, Volvo, Lotus and other manufacturers.
Horbury’s innovative design and ability to convince skeptics helped him revolutionize boxy Volvo shapes by incorporating the iconic “shoulders” below the window line. His impact on the automotive industry earned him the respect and admiration of his peers and a reputation as one of the rare designers who maintained momentum throughout his career. Horbury’s design legacy can be seen on roads around the world and will be sorely missed by friends, colleagues and admirers across the automotive community.
Peter Horbury Early Life
Peter Horbury began his career at Chrysler UK and later joined Volvo in the Netherlands, where he contributed to the development of the 480ES coupe. During his time at Volvo, Horbury shared an interesting anecdote about the last-minute addition of the Volvo grille under the bumper of the 480ES.
This addition was made when senior management realized that the car was missing the iconic Volvo grille and slanted highlight. Prior to his significant tenure at Volvo, Horbury worked at MGA Developments Ltd in the UK. He also made valuable contributions to key Ford product programs in Europe, including the Sierra, Escort and Granada.
The Age of Peter Horbury
Peter D. Horbury (27 January 1950 – 29 June 2023, aged 73) was a prominent British car designer who served as Senior Vice President of Design at Lotus.
His outstanding design contributions were predominantly related to Volvo, and he held various influential positions in the automotive industry, such as Executive Director of Design for the Americas at Ford from 2004 to 2009 and Executive Vice President of Design at Geely Auto from 2011 to 2021.
In recognition of his talent, in 1998 the British magazine Autocar was awarded Designer of the Year. During a career that spanned over 40 years, Horbury was actively involved in the design of more than 50 cars, as well as trucks, buses and motorcycles.
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Categories: General
Source: HIS Education