J Mays

J Mays
Name	J Mays
Birth date	1954
Birth place	Ann Arbor, Michigan
Occupation	Automotive designer
Years active	1970s–2010s
Notable works	Ford GT (2005); Volkswagen Concept 1 (New Beetle); Mustang Mach 1 concept

J Mays J Mays is an American automotive designer and design executive known for leading design programs at Ford Motor Company and Volkswagen Group. He directed influential projects that blended retro styling with contemporary engineering, shaping models that affected design trends at General Motors, Chrysler, Porsche AG, and independent studios. Mays's career spans collaborations with prominent figures and institutions including Martin Smith (designer), Chris Bangle, Walter de Silva, Aston Martin, and the Petersen Automotive Museum.

Early life and education

Born in 1954 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Mays grew up amid the automotive culture of Detroit, Michigan and the industrial milieu surrounding Wayne State University. He studied industrial design at ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, California, where faculty and visiting critics included alumni and practitioners from General Motors, Ford Motor Company, and Pininfarina. During his formative years he encountered contemporaries who would later shape global design discourse at firms such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and Volkswagen AG. His early influences included historical movements represented at the Cooper-Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum and exhibitions at the Museum of Modern Art.

Career

Mays began his professional career at Ford Motor Company in the late 1970s, working in the design studios that reported to leaders like Jack Telnack and collaborated with teams connected to Ghia. He later moved to Nissan's California studio, contributing to projects that intersected with Isuzu and Mazda. In the 1990s he served as head of design at Audi of America and became known for direction that referenced heritage models from Volkswagen Beetle lineage and Porsche 356. Recruited by Volkswagen Group, he led programs that produced the Volkswagen Concept 1 (New Beetle), a high-profile revival tied to historical links with the Beetle (Type 1) and designers at Bertone.

Returning to Ford Motor Company as Group Vice President of Design, Mays oversaw global studios in Aston Martin, Lincoln Motor Company, and Volvo Cars collaborations. Under his leadership Ford design produced concept and production vehicles including the Ford GT (2005), various concepts showcased at the North American International Auto Show, and reinterpretations of models from Mercury (automobile). He worked alongside marque executives from Jaguar Land Rover and consultants from IDEO and Fitch, coordinating cross-disciplinary teams across studios in Detroit, Cologne, Auckland, Beijing, and Yokohama.

Design philosophy and notable works

Mays championed a design philosophy that synthesized historical reference, modern packaging, and brand clarity, drawing on precedents like the Ford Model T, Volkswagen Type 1, and Shelby Cobra. He emphasized “retrofuturism” aesthetics evident in the Volkswagen Concept 1 (New Beetle), which echoed lines from the Beetle (Type 1), the Porsche 356, and coachbuilt interpretations by Karmann. His studio’s work on the Ford GT (2005) referenced the Ford GT40 endurance racing heritage at 24 Hours of Le Mans, while incorporating contemporary materials and aerodynamics developed in cooperation with teams linked to McLaren and Cosworth.

Notable production and concept projects under Mays’s direction include the New Beetle, the Ford GT (2005), the Lincoln MKR concept, and several concept cars revealed at the Geneva Motor Show, the Frankfurt Motor Show, and the Los Angeles Auto Show. These projects engaged with suppliers and engineering partners such as Magna International, Bosch, and Continental AG to translate aesthetic intent into manufacturable reality. Mays also contributed design perspectives in academic venues at the Royal College of Art, ArtCenter College of Design, and lectures at the Cooper Union.

Awards and recognition

Mays received industry accolades including honors from the Detroit Institute of Arts and awards presented at shows like the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and the EyesOn Design awards. His work on revivalist projects earned recognition from design organizations such as the Industrial Designers Society of America and placements in permanent collections at institutions including the Petersen Automotive Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum. His leadership roles led to invitations to juries for events organized by Society of Automotive Engineers and panels with design leaders from BMW Group and Toyota Motor Corporation.

Personal life and legacy

Mays maintained residences in Los Angeles and Detroit, Michigan while participating in educational and archival projects with collectors, curators, and historic racing teams associated with Goodwood Festival of Speed and Le Mans Classic. His influence persists through former studio designers who moved to firms like Tesla, Inc., Rivian, Lucid Motors, and international studios in South Korea and China. As a mentor he engaged with programs at the College for Creative Studies and contributed to dialogues on automotive heritage represented by collections at Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum. His legacy is visible in the resurgence of heritage-inspired models at Ford, Volkswagen, Aston Martin, and other marques that continue to reference lineage in contemporary design.

Category:American automobile designers