Citroen creates dedicated DS studio

CITROEN has created a dedicated styling department for its DS model line, the French car-maker’s distinctive luxury range that majors on sporty style.

The new DS styling department will be managed by 47-year-old Frenchman Thierry Metroz, who was recruited only two years ago as director of styling for Citroen after 25 years at cross-town rival Renault.

With the appointment of Mr Metroz and the creation of the new DS studio within the Citroen styling department from June 1, Alexandre Malval will become responsible for styling Citroen’s mainstream ‘C-range’ models.

The DS line is represented in Australia by the DS3 and DS4, with the DS5 set to arrive in July.

Citroen managing director Frederic Banzet said the new DS design department will seek to develop the unique character of the DS models and make an even clearer distinction between C-range vehicle styling and DS styling.

“To support the move upmarket and international expansion of Citroen, particularly in China, it is important to make a clearer distinction in styling between the C range and the DS line, each in their respective fields,” he said.

Mr Metroz trained in France and started his career with Renault in 1985, becoming design director for Renault in Barcelona in 1999 and opening Renault’s first design centre outside France. In 2005, he became vice-president exterior design for the Renault and Dacia brands, but joined Citroen in 2010 as director of styling.

Mr Malval, 42, trained in Paris and London, spent six years with Renault in exterior design and joined Volkswagen’s European design centre before moving to Citroen in 2001. He designed the C-Airdream concept car and the C4 coupe, was head of styling for the C5 and DS5, and became range manager for Peugeot in 2009.