Background
Thomas, the son of an American military air traffic controller and a German mother, traveled frequently around Europe during his childhood.
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Freeman Thomas
Edit ProfileCareer
This led to an early awareness of cars - in his own words, "a certain sense of automotive space."
After graduating from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, Freeman worked as a senior designer at Porsche from 1983 to 1987. After leaving Porsche, he worked in consultancy, journalism and teaching, before joining Volkswagen of America in 1991. While at the Volkswagen Design Center in Simi Valley, California, he collaborated with fellow Art Center graduate J Mays on the design of the Volkswagen Concept 1 concept car, a modern re-interpretation of the original Volkswagen Beetle.
This was first shown at the 1994 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), and the positive response led to the car entering production as the Volkswagen New Beetle.
In 1994, he began the design of the acclaimed Audi TT concept car, which also led to a production model. In 1999, Thomas was appointed vice president of Advanced Product Design Strategy, later beconing head of their Pacifica Advanced Design Center in 2002.
At he oversaw the design of several Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep concept cars and production models. Thomas moved to the Motor Company, taking up the role of Director, Strategic Design for North America on 1 June 2005.
He is responsible for developing product design strategies and concept vehicles for the (inclusive of the current Mustang design), Lincoln and Mercury marques.
Cris Huergas and Freeman Thomas of California founded, an early 911 Porsche sports club on May 15, 1999. They did so with the intention of bringing like-minded individual together to share technical and historical information related to their cars, as well as sharing views and ideas concerning the ownership, preparation, maintenance and operation of their cars. Thomas is credited with the following designs:
Volkswagen New Beetle
Audi TT
Audi A4
Audi A6
Panoz Roadster
Chrysler Pacifica
Dodge Super 8 Hemi concept
Jeep Willys concept
Jeep Treo concept
Dodge Sling Shot concept
Jeep Rescue concept
Dodge Tomahawk concept motorcycle
With Ralph Gilles
Chrysler 300
Dodge Magnum
Dodge Charger.
Membership
From 1996 to 1999, Thomas was a member of J Mays" SHR Perceptual Management industrial design consultancy, before returning to Volkswagen of America as head of design.
