There is some new information, albeit from unnamed sources, on why Chris Bangle left BMW. Apparently he had disagreements with the BMW board and his successor von Hooydonk on the future direction of Project i, which is expected to spawn the spiritual successor to the BMW Isetta.
It seems that the board wanted one way and Bangle wanted another, so he decided to resign because as Head of BMW Group Design he could not take responsibility for a design strategy he did not agree with, or rather did not choose. BMW still wanted him though, and offered him other jobs such as design director of the US-bsaed DesignworksUSA, a company which von Hooydonk previously headed.
Bangle revealed later that he will be starting his own design house, but maintains he will not just be plastering the Bangle name over any industrial design product. Macbook Pros will flame surfacing or a toaster with a Bangle Butt anyone?
After dabbling for years in the IT industry, Paul Tan initially began this site as a general blog covering various topics of personal interest. With an increasing number of readers paying rapt attention to the motoring stories, one thing led to another and the rest, as they say, is history. An avid electronic gadget aficionado as well as big-time coffee lover, he's also the executive producer of the Driven motoring TV programme.
bangle own design house…sound delicious, proton shud try to ‘bangle’ our proton and lotus
Proton sign him up la..hahaha
hahahah.. best idea i heard for Proton. period.
The “Bangle-lised” come to mind when talking about his new design house lol
Hmm, I think proton got better people in the design department. Pininfarina would be better.
Bangle butt toilet bowls, anyone?
Bangle can do only design, and design alone is not sufficient for Proton. Proton needs technology and engineering know-how. Selling cars do not rely on only its look, but the whole package of design, engineering, technology, quality, and services.
im sorry. Best idea for proton is to close shop.
Bangle has made his mark on history. Time to move on to another project.
van Hooydonk came up with The Butt. Somehow, since Bangle was overseeing the whole design work, the infamous butt was associated with him.
sounds like a man who sticks by his principles.. since management do not agree with his philosophy and ideas, the told them to go stuff it..
24 years of time has given Proton enough time to mature into global player, but sadly the reseult remained stagnant as ten years ago. Please please proton consider merge with other giant auto powerhouse to bring back the glorious days..
As for Chris Bangle, wish him all the best!!
Proton wanna hire Bangle?! Bangla can la…hahaha
…just kidding. Anyway, I don’t think he wanna join Proton if Proton do offer him a position…I mean, the guy even quit from BMW just on a disagreement issue. Do you think he wanna be in Proton since it mix too much business and politics altogether? Still, it’ll be quite interesting to see a Perdana with a flame design though…hmmm….
If proton hires him, i think the price of proton cars will rise FIERCELY!
he looks like santa claus