Ford GT Designer Svensson Dies

Christopher Svensson, a longtime Ford Motor Co. designer who retired July 1, died last Saturday from cancer at the age of 53.

Svensson, who joined Ford in 1992 after earning a master’s degree from England’s Royal College of Art, worked for the carmaker’s design department in Australia, Germany, Michigan and the U.K. He most recently was Ford's global design director for SUVs, trucks and commercial vehicles.

During his 26-year career, Svensson penned several high-profile vehicles, including the GT supercar. He also worked on the C-MAX, Falcon, Fiesta, Focus, Ka, Mondeo, Mustang, Puma and Taurus. In addition, Svensson was the chief designer of the pink FAB1 featured in the 2004 movie “Thunderbirds.”