Kia has appointed John Buckingham as the Head of Kia Next Design Exterior Group, effective from June 1. This move comes as Kia reinforces its design team to realize its bold design ambitions, underpinned by the philosophy ‘Opposites United’.
Buckingham brings a wealth of experience from designing electric vehicles (EVs) and will play a pivotal role in shaping the exterior design of Kia’s upcoming vehicles, including its electric models.
Teck Koun Kim, Vice President and Head of Kia Next Design Group, is leading the charge in overseeing exterior, interior, and CMF design for Kia’s full vehicle lineup. John Buckingham’s role as the Head of Kia Next Design Exterior Group complements Kim’s efforts, focusing on enhancing Kia’s exterior design language and supporting Kim’s vision.
Kia’s design journey is driven by the ethos ‘Opposites United’, which seeks to lead the future of mobility. Under the leadership of Karim Habib, Executive Vice-President and Head of Kia Global Design Center, the brand’s designers are empowered to cultivate innovation and proactivity.
Karim Habib stated, “John Buckingham’s incredible talent and creativity will empower our team as Kia continues its transformation towards sustainable mobility. Teck Koun Kim’s leadership will further advance our design organization, aligning with the brand we aspire to be.”
Teck Koun Kim emphasized Kia’s position in the EV market, exemplified by models like the EV6 and EV9, showcasing innovative design. With Kia’s commitment to innovation and agility in the evolving market landscape, external talents like John Buckingham are being recruited to contribute to the brand’s design excellence.
John Buckingham’s role will be pivotal in shaping Kia’s future exterior design direction, setting industry standards. His extensive experience in EV design will notably influence the exterior aesthetics of Kia’s next-generation vehicles, particularly its electric lineup.
Expressing his enthusiasm, John Buckingham said, “I look forward to working with the talented design team to further define Kia’s progressive design philosophy. Together, we will build on the impressive current products and work towards the next generation of design expression.”
Buckingham’s distinguished career includes senior design roles at luxury car brands like Bentley Motors, BMW, and Faraday Future. At Faraday Future, he played a crucial role in developing the flagship EV, FF91, and leading the design of future models.
With a history of crafting groundbreaking designs for premium brands, John Buckingham is poised to steer Kia’s exterior design into the future, enriching the brand’s portfolio with innovative and captivating aesthetics.