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Range Rover gets its own studio director
By Yoann Besnard on 13 July 2007 | 
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Land Rover would like to build a brand under the Range Rover badge in the future. There have even been rumours that the Freelander LR2 could drop its Land Rover badge in favour of the Range Rover badge. Until recently it was pure speculation, but the nomination of Phil Simmons as studio director of the iconic Range Rover model is being seen as possible confirmation of the rumours. This is the first time the Land Rover has employed a studio director specifically dedicated to the Range Rover model.
Phil Simmons is not a stranger at Land Rover, where he spent 10 years of his career. He participated in designing the exterior of the Range Rover which is currently on sale. He subsequently moved to Ford Motor Company in the US, where he was responsible for Ford's family of mid-size vehicles such as the Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln MKZ. He was appointed Chief Designer for Ford of Europe in September 1999.
The current Land Rover Design's studio director, Dave Saddington, keeps his position and will focus on the Land Rover products Defender and Discovery. Both men will report to Land Rover’s Design Director, Gerry McGovern.
