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Michael Mauer

Introduce

Michael Mauer, born on July 28, 1962, in Rotenburg an der Fulda, Germany, is a renowned automotive designer and engineer, currently serving as the Chief Designer at Porsche. His illustrious career spans several iconic automotive brands, including Mercedes-Benz, Saab, and Porsche. Mauer is widely recognized for his significant contributions to the design of several key models, including the Porsche 918 Spyder, Porsche 911 (991), and others.

Mauer studied design from 1982 to 1986 at the Hochschule Pforzheim in Germany. Upon graduation, he began his professional career at Mercedes-Benz, where he worked at their Sindelfingen plant. His early work at Mercedes-Benz saw him take on leadership roles, and in 1989, he became the Design Project Leader for the Mercedes-Benz V-Class. In 1995, he was promoted to Head of the Department, overseeing the design of critical models such as the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, SLK, and SL. His talent and leadership earned him further responsibilities, and in 1998, Mauer moved to Tokyo to serve as the General Manager of Mercedes-Benz’s design center there. A year later, he returned to Europe, assuming the role of design leader at Smart.

In 2000, Mauer made a significant career shift, leaving Mercedes-Benz to join General Motors, where he took on the role of Executive Director of Design at Saab. He continued to rise within GM, becoming responsible for Advanced Design at GM Europe in 2003.

However, it was in 2004 that Mauer’s career reached a new pinnacle when he joined Porsche, succeeding Harm Lagaay as the company’s Chief Designer. During his time at Porsche, he was responsible for the design of some of the company’s most iconic models, including the Porsche Cayenne, Porsche Macan, Porsche Panamera, Porsche 918 Spyder, and the Porsche 911 (991). Under his leadership, the Porsche 911 (991) received widespread acclaim and won the prestigious Red Dot design award in 2012.

In 2015, Mauer’s influence expanded even further when he was promoted to head the design department for the entire Volkswagen Group, succeeding Walter de Silva. In this capacity, he continues to oversee the design direction of multiple brands under the Volkswagen umbrella, ensuring that design excellence remains at the forefront of the group’s global offerings.

Michael Mauer’s design philosophy has been marked by a commitment to balancing innovation with the preservation of brand identity. Under his leadership, Porsche has continued to evolve its models, maintaining the iconic styling that defines the brand while introducing modern elements that enhance both performance and aesthetic appeal. Mauer’s work has had a lasting impact on Porsche’s image, and his designs are seen as a perfect blend of engineering precision and artistic vision.

Throughout his career, Mauer has contributed to shaping the future of automotive design, ensuring that the brands he’s worked for remain at the cutting edge of both technology and visual appeal.

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