Jorge Díez Named Design Director

October 22, 2020 by Seat

• Díez will lead SEAT and CUPRA design starting 1st December 2020

•Díez has extensive automotive experience, including Head of SEAT Exterior Design (2011-2014)

•Previous designs include third-generation SEAT Leon, second-generation Audi TT and the first-generation Audi A7

Jorge Díez has been appointed as Design Director, overseeing both SEAT and CUPRA design, as of the 1st December 2020.

Díez has extensive automotive experience spanning almost 20 years. He led SEAT's Exterior Design department from 2011 to 2014, and has also worked at the Audi and Volkswagen headquarters in Germany. In his new position, he will report to the company's Executive Vice-President for Research and Development, Dr. Werner Tietz.

During his previous time with the brand, as Head of SEAT Exterior Design, Díez was one of the creators of some of its most successful models, including the third-generation SEAT Leon, the fourth-generation SEAT Ibiza and the SEAT Ateca, the first SUV in the history of the carmaker.

During his time at Audi, he created models such as the second-generation Audi TT and the first-generation Audi A7.

SEAT and CUPRA President, Wayne Griffiths commented: 'Jorge Díez is one of the most talented designers in the automotive industry. His signature is on many of our key cars from the last decade, such as the Leon, the Ateca and the Ibiza, and it's great news that he's returning to SEAT. His international experience, the inspiration from Barcelona and the values of the SEAT and CUPRA brands will be reflected in the models we will be launching in the coming years.'

SEAT's Executive Vice-President for Research and Development, Dr. Werner Tietz added: 'It is a pleasure to welcome Jorge Díez back to lead our design team. With his expertise and commitment, an outstanding design language is ensured for the future SEAT and CUPRA models.'

Jorge Díez is a technical engineer in Industrial Design from the Cardenal Herrera University of Valencia and holds a Master's degree in Car Design from the Polytechnic University of Valencia and a Master's degree from the London Royal College of Art.

Díez's experience to date:

•2001: joins Audi design in Ingolstadt

•2008: joined SEAT's Exterior Design department

•2010: appointed Senior Designer at Volkswagen in Wolfsburg

•2011: promoted to Head of SEAT Exterior Design

•2014: returns to Audi as Director of the Automotive Konzept Design in Munich, and worked for brands such as Audi, Lamborghini and Ducati

•2017: promoted to Head of the Audi's Studio 4 Exterior Design

•2019: appointed Vice-President of Mitsubishi Motors Design Europe

posted on conceptcarz.com