By I didn’t know this, but the new Camaro was designed by a Korean:
As an automotive stylist, designing a Chevrolet Camaro, even a concept Camaro, defines your career. You will either be hailed as the genius who advanced the legend, or blamed as the idiot who screwed up an icon. There’s no middle ground.
“I was kind of glad I didn’t know how strong of an icon the Camaro was when I was first working on the project,” admits Camaro concept chief designer Sangyup Lee. He then scowls at the thought of choking under the pressure of Camaro crazies criticizing his work.
Korean-born Lee needn’t worry. The Camaro concept was easily one of the most popular sights at January’s Detroit auto show. Overwhelmingly positive reactions have come from all quarters, surprising some inside GM. Lee admits that he now understands the Camaro’s importance to America, and is even more proud to be a part of the project. [Edmunds]
I was actually watching 20/20 on ABC last night and it had a special about GM and the program said that the new Camaro was designed by GM and then emphasized how Hyundai was once considered a “joke” in America, but they have since become a company that produces cars with quality equal to any Japanese car company. The program ended with a bit of a condescending attitude towards Korea though when the reporters said that if South Koreans can make quality cars, why can’t the US?
20/20 didn’t point this out, but Americans are already making quality cars but for the Koreans.
5:09 am on July 13th, 2009 1
Would this be news if an Irish person designed it?
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July 13th, 2009 at 7:05 am
Maybe you missed the fact that this is a Korea blog? Readers of this site may find of interest that GM turned to a Korean to redesign the Camaro instead of an Irishman.
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5:56 am on July 13th, 2009 2
I didn’t know who designed it but I did not like it when I first saw it. Still don’t. To me it looks too much like a Chrysler product – bulky body and small windows. Same mistakes Ford made when they decided changed the Mustang – first too big (72/73) then too small (Mustang II). These Pony cars have to be the right size to be successful. People want to be seen inside the vehicle – “look at me I’m driving a Mustang!”
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9:03 am on July 13th, 2009 3
As for the comment made by 20/20, not surprised. For many Americans they either have no idea Korea is a country or if they do, they have images of Vietnam going through their head. Or poor peasant kids they saw on MASH.
If Korea was like even 10 years ago, I would have probably understood that but in this day and age, it is one of the major economies of the world, so you really should know that in terms of technology and industry it’s not backward.
Still can’t produce the truly high end stuff that only companies like GE can make (I think high grade ball bearings used for wind turbines are one of them) but stuff like car manufacturing and shipbuilding is pretty good.
A show like 20/20 should know a little bit better.
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