The head of Volkswagen Group Design, Walter de Silva, has been recognised with the Designer Award within the framework of the Barcelona International Motor Show. The designer received the award from the hands of the prime minister of Spain, Mariano Rajoy, during the opening event of the 38th edition of the automotive show.

The award recognises the broad professional career of de Silva and his contribution to the automotive world. In 1999, the designer joined the Volkswagen Group as head of design at Seat where he developed the Salsa and Tango concept cars, as well as the new Seat León and the Ibiza, Altea and Toledo models.

In February 2007, de Silva was named head of Volkswagen Group Design and, since then, he has assumed responsibility for the design of all the Group brands. Some of his most outstanding designs are the Audi A6, Q7, TT, R8 or A5, as well as the Volkswagen Golf, Polo, up! or the New Beetle, among others.

"After a long career of over 40 years, being the first winner of the Designer Award is a true professional recognition. I am very grateful to the jury for giving me this award and also for doing so in such an incomparable setting as the Barcelona International Auto Show," said Walter de Silva.

More on Volkswagen: Company to get a new chief in India