FORD’S EUROPEAN DESIGN director, Amko Leenarts, speaks excitedly and passionately about the next stage in the company’s evolution as he shows us around his slick, expansive Merkenich Design Studio, just down the road from the Cologne factory. He joined Ford 11 years ago (when its range was several times larger than it will be by 2025) and is now charged with leading the brand into its bold new electric future, starting with the Explorer.
Importantly, he says, Ford’s redeploying of historic names does not herald the advent of nostalgic styling cues: “Retro designs aren’t moving us forward. It’s always about totally new interpretation: that’s what makes it interesting.”