Peugeot names former concept designer as new design director

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009

French automaker Peugeot has named its concept car chief, Gilles Vidal, as its new Design Director. Vidal will assume the position effective early next year and will report directly to the automaker’s lead Design Director, Jean-Pierre Ploué.

Vidal has been with Peugeot since 1996, although he has only been in charge of the automaker’s concept car division since earlier in 2009. His portfolio in that position is most notable for the BB1 concept, a urban mobility-oriented electric vehicle that debuted in concept form earlier this year at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

Peugeot also says that Vidal has been integral in shaping the automaker’s “new identity,” which it says it will unveil shortly after his official appointment to the position next year.