by Official Announcement of Departure
Amid rumors surrounding other car brands, another landmark change has occurred in the automotive industry. Mercedes has officially announced that its Chief Design Officer, Gorden Wagener, will leave the company at the beginning of 2026.
The manufacturer reported that Wagener himself requested termination, and the parties reached a mutual agreement regarding his departure. The details of the agreement are not disclosed, but this puts an end to almost 30 years of collaboration.
Career and Key Achievements
Wagener joined Mercedes in 1997 and gained recognition for designing the SLR McLaren model. He was also the author of the design for the A-Class (W176), S-Class (W222), and a number of other models.
In 2008, he took over as head of the design department, and less than a decade later became the company’s first-ever Chief Design Officer.
Thanks to these leadership roles, Wagener was directly involved in the creation of various models, including the first generation of the AMG GT (C190) and the latest SL (R232). The company noted that he “consistently developed the design of the Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-AMG, Mercedes-Maybach, and G-Class brands, as well as Smart.”
Design Beyond Cars
However, cars are just the tip of the iceberg. Under Wagener’s leadership, Mercedes design extended far beyond vehicles. In particular, the Mercedes-Benz Style division was involved in creating helicopters, luxury yachts, furniture, and residential projects such as Mercedes-Benz Places in Miami.
Difficult Moments and Criticism
Although the official Mercedes statement did not mention problems, there have been quite a few lately, and they cannot be ignored. The anonymous design of the electric EQ lineup received mostly negative feedback, forcing the company to urgently conduct a facelift for the EQS model.
The company was also sharply criticized for moving away from traditional luxury in favor of an emphasis on screens and questionable technological solutions, such as selfie cameras.
Legacy and Future of the Brand
While every leader leaves behind a mixed legacy, Wagener has undoubtedly left his mark on Mercedes and the automotive industry as a whole. His influence will be felt for many years to come, especially since the automaker recently introduced a new, star-filled design language.
Mercedes CEO Ola Källenius stated: “Gorden Wagener shaped the identity of our brands with his visionary design philosophy. For many years, he made a decisive contribution to ensuring that our innovative products are associated with a unique aesthetic worldwide. His creativity and sense of the future of automotive design have consistently enriched Mercedes-Benz. I would like to thank Gorden for his dedication, exceptional work, and lasting impact – and wish him all the best for the future.”
The departure of such an iconic figure undoubtedly poses a challenge for a major brand, especially during a period of industry transformation. The new design chief will inherit a clearly defined, yet sometimes controversial, brand language that will need to be developed in the era of electromobility. The success of Wagener’s successor will depend on the ability to combine progressive technologies with the emotion and status that have always been inherent in cars with the three-pointed star. For now, Mercedes confidently states that the design strategy for the future is already defined.
