Top automotive designers will gather in metro-Detroit on Friday, June 19, to present Gorden Wagener with the 2026 EyesOn Design Lifetime Design Achievement Award for his outstanding career in vehicle design.
The award ceremony for Wagener, who most recently was chief design officer for Mercedes-Benz Group AG, will take place at the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club in Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan. Recipients are chosen exclusively by previous winners, creating an unbroken chain of design excellence that spans generations.
Ralph Gilles to Present Award
Stellantis chief design officer Ralph Gilles will speak to Wagener's design influence. As the 2023 Lifetime Design Achievement recipient, Gilles will make the presentation of the award, which is made of optical-quality crystal and created exclusively for EyesOn Design.
Laurens van den Acker, chief design officer of Renault Group, will also make remarks on Wagener's career during the gala event.
John McElroy as Master of Ceremonies
Well-known automotive journalist and commentator John McElroy will preside over the program as master of ceremonies. Representatives from the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, recognized this year with EyesOn Design's Preserving the Vision award, will also attend the celebration.
The Automotive Industry's Highest Design Honor
The EyesOn Design Lifetime Design Achievement Award stands as the automotive industry's highest honor for design excellence. Since 1988, this prestigious award has recognized individuals whose creative vision and innovative spirit have fundamentally transformed automotive design.
Reservations are required to attend, and individual tickets and tables of ten are available. The gala event is a part of the EyesOn Design weekend of events, which culminate with the 39th annual EyesOn Design at Ford House automotive design exhibition on Sunday, June 21.