Bob Hall (American motoring journalist)

Bob Hall
Born	1953 United States
Occupations	Journalist Automotive product planner
Spouse	Karen Hall

Bob Hall is a former American motoring journalist best known for his work as an automotive product planner.[1]

Hall is best known as a founder member of the development team who produced the Mazda MX-5.[2]

Career

Automotive journalism

Hall started his career as a journalist for Motor Trend.[3]

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.[3]

Return to journalism and back to product planning

After leaving Mazda, Hall continued his career as an automotive journalist in Australia.[4]

Hall lived in Malaysia from 2004 to 2011,[5] working for Proton as Head of product planning and programme engineering.[6]

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.[7] 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.[8]

Personal life

He is married to Karen,[5] is the twin brother of Jim Hall (who worked in product management at General Motors),[9] and is fluent in Japanese.[10]

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.