Vehicle light-weighting guru Gordon Murray has been appointed director of advanced concepts at Caparo Vehicle Products. By applying his strategic planning, vehicle conceptual design, production design skills and motivational abilities, the £725m Caparo Group – a vehicle component supplier based largely in the UK, US and India – aims to realise its manufacturing ambitions of commoditising lightweight composites for the car industry as quickly and efficiently as possible.

“Gordon’s knowledge of advanced vehicle concepts utilising lightweight composite technology is unrivalled in the automotive industry and we’re delighted he has agreed to help us become a leading supplier of these modern materials,” said Angad Paul chief executive Caparo Group. “Our aim is to help carmakers reduce the weight of their vehicles with affordable and practical composite solutions. As well as supplying composite materials, with Gordon’s help we can assist carmakers not only in the design of individual components and complete vehicle systems.”