Veteran Stellantis dressmaker Chris Benjamin has joined Scout Motors to govern design for the EV-focused Volkswagen emblem that can specialise in significance automobiles and vehicles.
Benjamin, maximum lately the internal design leading for Stellantis North The us, turns into leading design officer at a crucial pace for Scout, which plans to start automobile manufacturing at a plant similar Columbia, S.C., through the tip of 2026. The emblem stated the primary retail gross sales of its electrical pickups and SUVs will get started quickly nearest. He has formally joined the corporate, a spokesperson stated.
Volkswagen hatched plans to resurrect the Scout emblem in 2022 and determine a less attackable foothold within the increasing marketplace for off-road automobiles within the U.S.
Benjamin graduated from Detroit’s Faculty for Inventive Research. He introduced his automobile design occupation at Mercedes-Benz. Later that, Benjamin did design paintings for BMW, Volvo and Stellantis, the place he spent pace in Europe and the U.S.
He’s going to report back to Scout Motors CEO Scott Keogh.
“Chris’ work is prolific. For nearly 25 years, he’s brought to life vehicles that stand out on the road,” Keogh stated in a commentary. “His thumbprints are all over many of the most beloved off-road vehicles in the market today. I’m confident that Chris will build on that experience as he defines the next chapter of design for Scout and electric utility vehicles.”
Benjamin, in a commentary Tuesday, stated Scout’s vintage automobiles have all the time “exerted a magnetic pull” through developing “the archetype for the modern SUV in the ’60s” and proving “that a daily driver could also be a weekend adventurer.”
His number one activity is to steadiness Scout’s iconic heritage styling with the “innovative possibilities that electrification” gifts.
“With the base of inspiration that Scout offers,” he stated, “what we’re dreaming up will be beyond special.”
