Former Volkswagen and Fiat Group designer Alessandro Dambrosio is set to join Mitsubishi Motors as executive director of advanced design in October 2018. Dambrosio will lead Mitsubishi Motors’ three advanced design studios in Okazaki and Tokyo, Japan, and Frankfurt, Germany, reporting to corporate design VP Tsunehiro Kunimoto.
As the newest acquisition of the Renault-Nissan Alliance, Mitsubishi Motors is enjoying newfound investment, which could potentially see the flood of concept cars developed by the Japanese automaker finally materialize. Mitsubishi’s new lease on life is also affecting its design studios, adding new positions as the Alliance companies aim to make a return on their investment.
“Alessandro is a very experienced and skilled designer with a long career at leading car companies,” Kunimoto in a statement. “I look forward to him inspiring our teams to shape the next generation of Mitsubishi Design and contributing to rebuild and enhance the Mitsubishi Motors Brand as we aiming for global growth.”
Born in Milan, Italy, Dambrosio studied at Milan’s Politecnico and was offered an internship at Alfa Romeo. He joined Fiat Group’s Lancia division upon graduation and rose through the ranks to become senior exterior designer at Alfa Romeo’s Centro Stile. Five years later he was also responsible for Maserati design.
In 2010 Dambrosio left to join the Volkswagen Group and worked under the direction of fellow Italian Walter de’Silva, VW Group’s former head of design. During his tenure as Interbrand projects chief and as VW Group Braunschweig design studio head he worked on projects for Audi, Bentley and Volkswagen as well as the Lamborghini Egoista Concept, Walter de’Silva’s ill-received pet project conceived to celebrate Lamborghini’s 50th anniversary.
“[Dambrosio] is joining at an exciting time when we are working on concepts for the future of Mitsubishi Motors styling,” said Kunimoto. “With his passion and well-developed understanding of brand values, he will be an extremely valuable addition to our design team.”
