Oliver Stefani appointed Skoda’s new design chief

Skoda Auto has announced the appointment of Oliver Stefani as its new Head of Design. 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 10 years, as well as a number of concept cars, bear his signature. 

Commenting on Stefani’s appointment, Skoda Auto 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.”For Skoda Auto Board Member for Technical Development Christian Strube, Stefani also represents the perfect choice. “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 ŠKODA customers with future models. He is the perfect fit for the Skoda brand,” said Strube.

Stefani began work at Volkswagen in 2002. Many Volkswagen  production cars from the past decade 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.

Skoda’s new head of design studied design in Braunschweig and Pasadena (California). In addition, he worked at the Design Center Europe in Sitges (Spain) for three years.