Peter Horbury (1950-2023)

Hethel, UK – Saturday 1 July 2023  It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Peter Horbury, Executive Vice-President of Design, Group Lotus.

He passed away earlier this week while visiting colleagues in China, doing what he has always done – leading, inspiring and mentoring others to challenge conventions and be the best that they can be.

Peter was the most charismatic man, and one of the most influential automotive designers that the UK has ever produced. He joined Lotus in 2021, the culmination of a career which had lasted nearly half a century, and which saw him design some of the world’s most significant and pioneering cars.

Prior to joining Lotus, Peter was Executive Vice-President of Design for the Geely Group, overseeing the design for a huge portfolio of vehicles for its many brands. He had previously held senior global positions at Ford, Volvo and Chrysler. 

Feng Qingfeng, CEO, Group Lotus, commented: “Peter’s timeless design is his legacy, and it can be found on roads across the world today, enjoyed by millions of drivers. His many friends, colleagues and admirers at Lotus, across the wider Geely business, and in the global automotive industry will all miss him greatly.”

Our thoughts are with Peter’s family and friends, and we would request that their privacy is respected at this difficult time.