Photo: Volvo
We don't usually cover the employment side of the automotive industry unless it involves very important figures, but this one could have major implications on the future of Tesla Motors.
Elon Musk started his company without any prior background in this field. He had a vision, and he began looking for people who could help him achieve it, be they engineers, designers or simply investors. People's opinions may vary, but given the incredibly short timeframe, he's done a terrific job of convincing a large part of the public that electric power is the way forward for the car industry.
One thing customers and reviewers alike have complained about regarding Tesla's products was that they did not feel premium enough. The interior, in particular, had received some criticism and it always stacked lower than the traditional German brands when it came to material quality and finish.
Not the same can be said about Volvo's latest models, though. The Swedish brand is undergoing a massive revolution, and what's happening on the inside is just as important as on the outside or under the hood.
It shouldn't surprise anyone that, according to Electrek, Tesla hired the Swedes' Senior Director of Engineering and Head of Interior Engineering to operate in a similar position for the Palo Alto company. Anders Bell had been working for Volvo for 18 years, joining the carmaker immediately after graduating engineering school.
He's occupied various positions within the company during this time, including a few years in China. One of his more recent projects was the creation of the new front seats that debuted on the XC90 SUV and will be used for all vehicles built on the SPA architecture.
Considering the tight deadline that Elon Musk is facing, Bell will probably be on a flight to California in no time joining the team that works on the Model 3. During the reveal last March, Musk said the cabin design was not completed, and we should expect to see changes in the final production version.
For all the contempt Musk has shown toward legacy carmakers, almost all of it was directed at the people in charge who refuse to challenge the status quo. However, these companies definitely have more experience when it comes to building the actual car, and so he's continuing to poach talent from them to make his products more competitive.
One thing customers and reviewers alike have complained about regarding Tesla's products was that they did not feel premium enough. The interior, in particular, had received some criticism and it always stacked lower than the traditional German brands when it came to material quality and finish.
Not the same can be said about Volvo's latest models, though. The Swedish brand is undergoing a massive revolution, and what's happening on the inside is just as important as on the outside or under the hood.
It shouldn't surprise anyone that, according to Electrek, Tesla hired the Swedes' Senior Director of Engineering and Head of Interior Engineering to operate in a similar position for the Palo Alto company. Anders Bell had been working for Volvo for 18 years, joining the carmaker immediately after graduating engineering school.
He's occupied various positions within the company during this time, including a few years in China. One of his more recent projects was the creation of the new front seats that debuted on the XC90 SUV and will be used for all vehicles built on the SPA architecture.
Considering the tight deadline that Elon Musk is facing, Bell will probably be on a flight to California in no time joining the team that works on the Model 3. During the reveal last March, Musk said the cabin design was not completed, and we should expect to see changes in the final production version.
For all the contempt Musk has shown toward legacy carmakers, almost all of it was directed at the people in charge who refuse to challenge the status quo. However, these companies definitely have more experience when it comes to building the actual car, and so he's continuing to poach talent from them to make his products more competitive.
Google News