McLaren Automotive Appoints Kemal Curic as Chief Design Officer
McLaren Automotive has appointed Kemal Curic, formerly Ford's Global Design Director for Performance Vehicles, as its new Chief Design Officer effective April 2026.
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What Happened
McLaren Automotive today announced the appointment of Kemal Curic as Chief Design Officer, effective April 2026. Curic joins the Executive Leadership Team and will lead all design functions including Interiors, Exteriors, CMF, and Digital Design. He will work closely with engineering and product strategy teams to shape the design vision for McLaren's portfolio.
“McLaren is one of the most respected and aspirational brands in the world. I’m excited to be part of their journey to help shape the design vision of a company so deeply rooted in engineering excellence and racing heritage.”
Curic brings over two decades of automotive design experience, most recently at Ford Motor Company as Global Design Director for Performance Vehicles. He has been recognized for evolving iconic cars while staying true to their heritage, making him a strong addition to McLaren's leadership team.
Why this matters
This leadership move strengthens McLaren's design vision to continue delivering lightweight, high-performance luxury cars that balance innovation with brand heritage.
Terms in This Story
- CMF
- Stands for Color, Materials, Finish; a design discipline focusing on the aesthetics and tactile qualities of vehicle surfaces and materials.
- Executive Leadership Team
- The group of senior executives responsible for strategic decision-making within a company.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.