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Bob Hall (American motoring journalist)

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American journalist and car designer (born 1953)
Bob Hall
Born1953
United States
Occupations
SpouseKaren Hall

Bob Hall is a former American motoring journalist best known for his work as an automotive product planner.

Hall is best known as a founder member of the development team who produced the Mazda MX-5.

Career

Automotive journalism

Hall started his career as a journalist for Motor Trend.

Development of the Mazda MX-5

Hall's first blackboard sketch of a two-seater convertible car in the early 1980s resulted in him being offered a job by Mazda Motors although he has no formal engineering qualifications. Hall is considered to be the "biological father" of the MX-5 (known in the United States as the Miata), although he was not responsible for the engineering and styling work that brought it to production.

Return to journalism and back to product planning

After leaving Mazda, Hall continued his career as an automotive journalist in Australia.

Hall lived in Malaysia from 2004 to 2011, working for Proton as Head of product planning and programme engineering.

In September 2014 Hall joined Geely, where it has been said he's been tasked to come up with an all-new mass-selling vehicle to hit the spot with western markets. While he has not commented on what the new vehicle may be, he has said it will not be a front-engine, rear-drive sportscar.

Personal life

He is married to Karen, is the twin brother of Jim Hall (who worked in product management at General Motors), and is fluent in Japanese.

References

  1. Susman, Gerald I. (15 October 1992). Integrating Design and Manufacturing for Competitive Advantage. Oxford University Press. p. 106. ISBN 978-0-19-536258-9.
  2. Bryant, Thomas (1 November 2014). Mazda MX-5 Miata. Motorbooks. p. 10. ISBN 978-1-62788-403-7.
  3. ^ Sherman, Don (23 February 2005). "Ikigai Man: Bob Hall and the Original Mazda Miata". Automobile. Retrieved 2006-08-13.
  4. Whitney, Tony (11 October 2005). "Mazda's little Miata finds its place in history". Canadian Driver. CanadianDriver Communications Inc. Retrieved 2018-06-01.
  5. ^ "Club Patron : MX-5 Club of NSW". Mazda MX-5 Club of NSW Inc. 2013. Retrieved 2018-06-01.
  6. "Proton Cars announces the appointment of Bob Hall as product integrator". Thomson Productions. Archived from the original on 2006-09-18. Retrieved 2006-11-17.
  7. Hammerton, Ron (5 September 2014). "'Father of the Mazda MX-5' working on new Geely". GoAuto.com.au. John Mellor Pty Ltd. Retrieved 2014-10-06.
  8. Stone, Matt (May 2, 2019). "Marking 30 years of MX-5: In the Words of Bob Hall". Motor. Bauer Media Pty Limited. Retrieved 2019-07-31. ...I would not develop, in any way, a front-engine, rear drive roadster sports car...
  9. Grogan, David; Kelley, Jack (4 September 1989). "The Siren Song of the Open Road and the Open Roof Led Bob Hall to the Amazing Miata". People. Time Inc. Retrieved 2018-06-01.
  10. Lachapelle, Marc (31 July 2009). "2009 Mazda MX-5 Miata: Twenty years young and still looking good". The Car Guide. LC Média. Retrieved 2018-06-01.
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