DesignworksUSA

Designworks, a BMW Group Company, is a global design consultancy based in Newbury Park, California, United States, with design studios in Munich, Germany, and Shanghai. Established independently in 1972 by Charles Pelly, it was acquired by BMW in 1995 and is now a wholly owned subsidiary of BMW Group. Its current president is Laurenz Schaffer.

The design studio was founded in 1972 by designer Charles Pelly. The company opened in Malibu Canyon with only three designers and grew out of Southern California's design trends that took root in a vibrant car culture. Early customers included Hyster and the Otis Elevator Company. In 1978, the company expanded and moved to Van Nuys, and set up its first sister studio, D2, in Detroit. In 1986, because of its extensive knowledge in seating design and ergonomic development, DesignworksUSA received its first BMW project, the BMW 850 seat. In the same year, the company moved to Agoura. In 1988, DesignworksUSA moved to Newbury Park, and began designing for Nokia and Siemens.

Designworks's reputation grew in the 1990s when the firm began working with Nokia, Compaq, Siemens and Adidas. In 1991, BMW acquired a large percentage of the company, and Designworks started its first car exterior design project in 1993 for the 1998 BMW 3 Series (E46). In May 1995, BMW AG purchased the remaining percentage of Designworks. At this time artist David Hockney painted an Art Car in the studio. In 1998, Designworks opened a studio in Munich, and in 1999, Henrik Fisker was named President.