Innovative ex-BMW designer moves to Indian Motorcycles

Indian Motorcycle Company has announced it has hired motorcycle industry design veteran, Ola Stenegard – the man behind the R-nineT – as its new Director of Product Design.

The innovative ex-BMW designer will play a key role in the iconic American brand’s long-term growth strategy, bringing nearly two decades of product-design experience, a life-long passion for American V-twins and a proven record of success in designing motorcycles that resonate with a global audience.

Steve Menneto, President of Indian Motorcycle Company, said: “Ola has been incredibly successful in helping brands expand into new product categories and appeal to a wider variety of riders, which is exactly what Indian will be focused on in the coming years. It’s rare to find a designer with Ola’s unique experience, and we are thrilled to have him on board at such an exciting and important time for our business.”

Stenegard previously led product design for BMW Motorrad – where he played a critical role in designing motorcycles, including most recently the BMW R-nineT. Admittedly, his professional focus has been on European motorcycles, but Stenegard’s life-long personal passion has been the design and customization of American V-twins.

Stenegard said: “I couldn’t be more excited to be joining Indian Motorcycle at a time when the brand has successfully returned itself to prominence and is powered by an increasing level of momentum. There is no brand any more historic to American motorcycling than Indian, and I’m thrilled to build on the brand’s momentum going forward. I couldn’t ask for a better situation.”

He’s be working at BMW Motorrad since 2003, becoming one of the brand’s most influential designers over the following 15 years, ascending to Head of Vehicle Design and working on virtually every significant new model program in the process. And, Stenegard’s influence wasn’t just limited to product design. His passion for riding and his understanding of the marketplace allowed him to assume an influential role in the marketing of motorcycles. Stenegard’s creativity resulted in a number of BMW’s more-popular marketing platforms, including the “Soulfuel” campaign that supported the launch of R-nineT.

It’ll be fascinating to see how Stenegard influences the future of Indian – we can’t wait to see what he comes up with. To find out more, please visit www.indianmotorcycle.eu.