Ford Motor Company has been putting a lot of effort into design lately. There was the new GT super car/race car last year, and the killer aluminum Raptor and handsome, credible reimagined Lincoln Continental this year. Now another, less publicized but no less important signal: Designer Jason Castriota just joined Ford as global advanced design chief, based in Dearborn. (He reports to Freeman Thomas, the global director of global advanced design, who oversees the company’s four international studios.)
Ford PR confirmed the hire.
For anyone who doesn’t immediately know Castriota’s name, let me recount a few of his many successes. Castriota had a hand in many high-end, high-performance cars, like the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano, the Maserati GranTurismo, the Maserati Birdcage 75th, the one-off Ferrari P 4/5, the Saab PhoeniX concept…I’ll stop there, but you get the idea.
From his past work, it’s clear that Castriota has a clear vision, superb taste and the experience to bring sexy and practical cars to market. So, hats off to Ford; now let’s hope Ford lets Castriota and his team loose in the studio.
What’s on my Ford wish list? An “entry-level” sports car sharing DNA with the GT. A four-door Mustang—convertible. A Lincoln high-performance luxury coupe. A Bronco that lives up to the original.
What would you like to see Ford build?