Kia's Peter Schreyer wins Golden Steering Wheel for 2013

The automaker said that with Schreyer as chief design officer, the Kia Design Studios in Korea, the U.S. and Frankfurt have created a number of striking cars including the Kia Soul, the Sportage and the sporty Kia Optima.

“The entire Kia model range now features Schreyer’s design signature,” the automaker said in a release.

“The designer was responsible for creating Kia’s distinctive, multiple-award winning design language, and his ‘Tiger Nose’ – the signature Kia radiator grille – has since become a striking brand feature.

“The final model to be fully redesigned under Schreyer was the new Kia Rondo, which has been on sale in Canada since April 2013 and which brings a new visual dynamism to the family-oriented MPV segment.”

The Golden Steering Wheel is considered the most important European automobile prize. Founded in 1976, the award recognizes excellence in the automotive industry.

The winner is selected by representatives of Bild am Sonntag, AutoBild and the Axel Springer publishing house.

Schreyer is only the second designer to receive this coveted industry award in 31 years.

He has been chief design officer at Kia Motors since 2006 and was appointed president of all Hyundai-Kia Design Centres at the beginning of 2013.

“I am exceedingly proud to receive this important award. It is a great honour for me personally, and at the same time it is recognition for our design teams all around the world who for years have been delivering such excellent work,” said Schreyer.

The presentation took place Nov. 12.