Polestar names former Audi exec head of design

Polestar has named former Audi executive Philipp Roemers its new head of design.

Roemers will succeed Maximilian Missoni, who has been the Geely-owned automaker's styling boss for six years, during which time he defined the startup EV brand's look.

Missoni's work on the Polestar 3 large SUV, Polestar 4 midsize crossover, Polestar 5 sedan and Polestar 6 sports car earned him the 2022 Automotive News Europe Eurostar for design of multiple models.

Polestar said Aug. 21 that Missoni would leave the company. It did not provide  additional details.

Like Missoni, Roemers started his career at Volkswagen Group.

Roemers, a native of Cologne, Germany, worked as an exterior designer for VW brand in Wolfsburg from 2005 until 2014. During that time, he helped craft models such as the seventh-generation Golf.

A decade ago, Roemers moved to Audi, where he led a team of exterior experts who designed the Audi A3, A6 and Q8.

He also helped define the look and shape of Audi's sleek E-tron and E-tron GT full-electric vehicles.

"Specifically with electromobility, we need, for example, streamlined silhouettes that help increase range," Roemers said in an in-house interview at Audi.

Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath, who previously was head of design at Volvo, praised Roemers' style.

“Philipp's modern approach to automotive design and experience from the luxury, performance segment will really support us as we take the next step in developing our model lineup,” Ingenlath said in a statement.

Roemers said in the statement: "Polestar is the role model of a design-driven automotive company and it's a great honor to take on the responsibility for the design department. I'm looking forward to working with the creative team to design the next generation of Polestar cars."