. BMW Group's Chris Bangle Will Open Design Los
Angeles Conference at LA Auto Show
LOS ANGELES - Chris Bangle,
BMW Group's chief of design, is known as much for his controversial and
edgy automotive designs as he is for his imaginative and refreshing
approach to the age of automotive reinvention. Bangle will provide an
engaging and thought-provoking look into the world of design as the
opening speaker for the Design Los Angeles automobile designers'
conference at the Los Angeles Auto Show.
The conference is held
concurrently with the show's second media day on Jan. 5, 2006. Bangle's
presentation is open to all media days' attendees -- including journalists
and auto industry personnel.
"Chris is the perfect choice
as guest speaker for Design Los Angeles," said Chuck Pelly, conference
director for Design Los Angeles. "He has such an enormous passion and
extraordinary zest for design on a large scale, beyond just the automotive
arena. Not only is he one of the best in his field, but he is also a
brilliant speaker who is able to connect with and motivate his audience --
exactly the sort of energy we want for the Design Los Angeles conference."
As chief designer and
director of BMW Group worldwide design, he oversees the design studios for
BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce MC as well as for BMW Motorrad -- BMW's
motorcycle division -- and BMW M. He is also a member of the Board of
Directors of BMW Group DesignworksUSA, a strategic design consultancy
owned by BMW Group and headquartered in Newbury Park, Calif. Bangle joined
BMW AG in October 1992 after serving as Director of Fiat Centro
Stile/Design.
In its second year, Design
Los Angeles continues to evolve into an important component of the LA Auto
Show. With 14 automobile manufacturer design studios located throughout
Southern California, the conference connects designers' interests by
providing them with workshops, speakers and the opportunity to address
widespread issues in their field. It is distinctive in that automobile
designers play an essential role in its continuing development.
Design Los Angeles is held
concurrently with the LA Auto Show's media days. Journalists worldwide
converge in Los Angeles for two days of automaker news conferences,
beginning on January 4 and continuing through January 5. Automobile
executives will be on hand to conduct more than two dozen World and North
American car and truck debuts. The public will get their chance to see the
vehicles January 6 - 15.
