David Lyon, Vauxhall and Opel’s new head of European design, has left the company just days ahead of taking up his new position which was officially announced on June 18.

It is not yet clear why Lyon has left the business.

Lyon was due to take over from Mark Adams who is moving to the US to head up Cadillac and Buick design.

He has worked on the Cadillac XTS, current Buicks, GMC small crossovers and the Chevrolet Volt.