Chevy Camaro designer quits, set to work for Volkswagen in 2010

Sangyou Lee, the designer of the highly celebrated Chevy Camaro, has announced that he has resigned his position with General Motors to take a role with Volkswagen/Audi as their chief designer of exterior, which may increase the visibility of used Chevrolet models in New Jersey.

Lee, who worked for GM for over a decade, is credited with bringing the Chevy Camaro back to national prominence after he redesigned the muscle car in 2005, according to CarDesignNews.com.

The Korean-born designer's concept debuted so successfully at the 2006 Detroit Auto Show GM decided to begin production immediately.

"The [2006] muscular Camaro concept is pure '69 updated, with the kind of subtle detailing that makes it look up-to-the-minute," said AutomobileMag.com after the car's original showing. "The interior is very glitzy, and pays homage to the original, even down to the GM seat belt insignia and the twin instrument pods."

Chevy's '06 Camaro is a "retro-styled" two-door coupe with a 6.0 liter, 400 horsepower V-8 engine powered through a six-speed manual transmission. The show model contains Active Fuel Management cylinder deactivation equipment, a fuel-saving technology that results in a highway fuel economy of 30 mpg or better, according to RSportsCars.com.

Before he unveiled the 2006 Camaro, Lee worked on a joint project between Bertone and GM in which he created the 2004 Buick Velite concept. He also contributed to the exterior design of the 50th anniversary Stingray.

Lee is expected to begin working for VW in mid-2010 in their California design facility. He is one of several designers to move on from the major U.S. automakers in the last 12 months. Pat Schiavone, Ford Motor Company's chief truck designer, announced last week that he will be resigning from the company in early 2010 to join the appliance manufacturer Whirlpool.

The departure of Chevy's award-winning exterior designer may increase the popularity in used Chevy models in New Jersey.