BMW has named Jozef Kaban, Skoda’s Chief of Exterior Design, to fill the position previously held by Karim Habib as the head of design for the the core BMW brand. Kaban will assume this position in the second half of the year.
Currently 44 years of age, Kaban made a name for himself early when he designed the Bugatti Veyron while still in his 20s. He was named chief of Skoda design at 35 after being head of exterior design at sister brand Audi.
In other BMW design personnel news, Domagoj Dukec, 41, will take over design responsibilities for the BMW M and i brands. Dukec has been with BMW since 2010 where he has been involved in exterior design for the BMW brand and, most recently, BMW i design. He penned the Concept Active Tourer.
Official press release announcement:
February 8, 2017. Munich. The BMW Group introduced its new design team under Chief Designer Adrian van Hooydonk. Jozef Kabaň will be responsible for design for the core BMW brand, while Domagoj Dukec will head the design team for BMW i and BMW M vehicles.
Jozef Kabaň, 44, from Slovakia, joins the BMW Group design team after holding various positions in the Volkswagen Group. Domagoj Dukec, 41, has been with the BMW Group since 2010, where his responsibilities have included exterior design for the BMW brand and, most recently, BMW i design.
“I am looking forward to this strengthening of the BMW Group design team,” said Adrian van Hooydonk. “Both Jozef Kabaň and Domagoj Dukec bring the experience, talent and vision we need for the future direction of our design.”
Karim Habib, who was responsible for BMW brand design, had previously left the company of his own accord. “We naturally respect Karim Habib’s decision and wish him every success in his new business endeavours,” added Adrian van Hooydonk.