Phil Simmons is appointed as the new Design Director and VP of Haval, in this position, he will be leading the design studio in Baoding, where the brand headquarters are located, as well as the advanced design studio in Shanghai.
The main tasks of the new leader are to build a world-class design team and create the unique design of all Haval models, which aims to strengthen the brand's position in the SUV segment on the world stage.
Phil Simmons, who was born in England, has been working in the field of automotive design for more than 29 years. Prior to his collaboration with Haval, he served as Studio Director for Land Rover Exterior Design. Under his leadership, such models were created: 2018 Range Rover and Range Rover Sport, 2017 Range Rover Velar and 2016 Range Rover Evoque, Discovery and Discovery Sport. Phil Simmons also led the design team that developed the interior and exterior of earlier models - 2014 Range Rover Sport and 2013 Range Rover.
From 1999 to 2007, Phil Simmons worked in various divisions of Ford, where he was responsible for the design of cars such as the 2009 Ford Fiesta, 2005 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln MKZ.
He started his earlier career in the UK and worked on various projects, including the 2003 Range Rover exterior and 2002 BMW Mini interior.
Also worth a look: the Haval Jolion Pro and the Haval H6 Gt.
FAQ
Q: Who is Phil Simmons and what is his role at Haval?
Phil Simmons is the new Design Director and VP of Haval, leading design studios in Baoding and Shanghai with over 29 years of automotive design experience from Land Rover and Ford.
Q: What famous cars did Phil Simmons design before joining Haval?
Phil Simmons designed the 2018 Range Rover and Range Rover Sport, 2017 Range Rover Velar, 2016 Range Rover Evoque, 2009 Ford Fiesta, and worked on the 2003 Range Rover exterior and 2002 BMW Mini interior.
Q: What is Phil Simmons' main goal at Haval?
Phil Simmons aims to build a world-class design team and create unique designs for all Haval models to strengthen the brand's position in the global SUV segment.
Q: Which Haval models are currently available in South Africa?
The Haval Jolion Pro starting from around R399,900 and the Haval H6 GT from approximately R549,900 are the main models available in the South African market.
Should You Buy It?
While this article focuses on Haval's design leadership rather than specific models, the brand's investment in world-class talent like Phil Simmons signals serious commitment to quality. The Haval Jolion Pro at R399,900 offers excellent value in the compact SUV segment, whilst the H6 GT at R549,900 competes strongly with established rivals. With Simmons' proven track record from Land Rover and Ford, future Haval models should blend premium design DNA with competitive pricing. If you're considering a Haval today, the Jolion Pro represents the sweet spot for South African buyers, but waiting for Simmons' design influence to appear in upcoming models might reward patient buyers with even better styling and refinement.
