Bentley Motors Names T.Jon Mayer Head of Exterior Design & Design Operations
The design veteran expands his role to lead Bentley's exterior styling team as the brand advances its electrification strategy…
Bentley Motors announced the appointment of T.Jon Mayer as its new head of Exterior Design and Design Operations, effective immediately. Mayer succeeds Domen Rucigaj, who has moved to a new position within the Volkswagen Group.
In his new role, Mayer will lead Bentley’s Exterior Design team, shaping the creative vision and design language for the brand’s next generation of luxury vehicles as Bentley accelerates its Beyond100+ strategy and transition toward electrification, starting with the Bentley Torcal, company officials stated in a press release.
Mayer will continue to oversee Design Operations, including digital modelling and visualization, championing innovation in advanced digital design processes and virtual development.
Mayer brings more than 20 years of international automotive design experience to the role. Having joined Bentley in 2024 as head of UX Design and Design Operations, he has already played a key role in advancing the integration of digital experience, craftsmanship and design innovation across the business, noted the release.
From Volvo to Bentley
Prior to Bentley, Mayer spent 13 years at Volvo Cars, holding senior leadership positions including head of Exterior Design and head of Design, Volvo Cars USA. During this time, he led the Exterior design of vehicles including the EX60, EX30, S60, V60 and V60 Cross Country, while helping shape Volvo’s modern design language through the Concept Coupe family and contributing to one of the brand’s most recognizable design signatures, the Thor’s Hammer headlight, the company said.
Mayer graduated from Carnegie Mellon University before continuing his studies at the ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, California.
Reporting to Robin Page, director of Design, Mayer will lead a multi-skilled team of 45, responsible for the exterior design development of Bentley’s current and future product portfolio, as well as the operations teams covering digital surfacing and visualization.
“Since joining Bentley, T. Jon has become an integral member of our Design leadership team,” said Page. “He has played a key role in strengthening the connection between creative design and delivery, while his leadership has been instrumental in ensuring the UX vision for Torcal was successfully realized from concept through to production. His combination of exterior design expertise, operational leadership and collaborative approach makes him the ideal person to lead our Exterior Design team as we continue to evolve Bentley’s design language and shape the next generation of Bentley products.”
Mayer added, “Bentley represents one of the most compelling luxury brands in the world, with an extraordinary heritage and an exciting future ahead. I’m honored to lead the Exterior Design team at such a pivotal moment for the company and look forward to helping shape the next chapter of Bentley design.”
