Infiniti names Karim Habib chief designer, from July 1

Posted in Cars, Infiniti, International News / By /

Infiniti names Karim Habib chief designer, from July 1

Karim Habib has been named chief designer for Infiniti effective July 1 this year, according to Automotive New Europe. Habib, formerly global design chief at BMW, will replace Alfonso Albaisa, who is promoted to Nissan global design; Habib will thus report to Albaisa.

Habib will be based in Nissan’s technical centre in Atsugi, Japan, and is tasked with leading Infiniti’s design teams in Japan, Beijing, San Diego and London. Habib joined BMW in 1998 before departing for a stint with Mercedes-Benz’s advanced design division from 2008 to 2010, before taking back the design reins at the Bavarian automaker in 2012.

Taking Habib’s place at BMW under group design chief Adrian van Hooydonk is Jozef Kaban, who joins from the Volkswagen Group with a portfolio notably including the Bugatti Veyron. Kaban’s last position was head of design at Skoda.

Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.

10% discount when you renew your car insurance

Compare prices between different insurer providers and use the promo code 'PAULTAN10' when you make your payment to save the most on your car insurance renewal compared to other competing services.

Car Insurance

Mick Chan

Open roads and closed circuits hold great allure for Mick Chan. Driving heaven to him is exercising a playful chassis on twisty paths; prizes ergonomics and involvement over gadgetry. Spent three years at a motoring newspaper and short stint with a magazine prior to joining this website.

 

Comments

  • john on Mar 14, 2017 at 9:19 pm

    Filled it with Habib jewellery..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
    Reply
  • wawasan2020 on Mar 14, 2017 at 10:31 pm

    congrats BMW.finally gets new blood on nee design.the current one is so boring and dull.cant wait to see some new faces in the market!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
    Reply
    • Mour on Mar 15, 2017 at 12:46 pm

      Dude, he and some of his team resigned because his original design for the 5 series was rejected by BMW for being too innovative. The board chose the current boring design, so he left.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
      Reply
      • Wtt on Mar 16, 2017 at 8:44 am

        Do you have any of his sketches which was rejected? Can’t seem to find any on the net. Thanks

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
        Reply
  • Zakir Turun on Mar 15, 2017 at 12:25 am

    Doom.Nobody will buy from someone with that name.If you know what i mean

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 12
    Reply
  • Semi-Value (Member) on Mar 15, 2017 at 1:21 pm

    i don recall bmw being known for the designs recently

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
    Reply
  • Ollie on Mar 15, 2017 at 4:27 pm

    Infiniti’s head now promoted to Nissan design head. Article also fails to mention the retiring Shiro Nakamura who was design head for 17 years.

    What i fail to see is how cars like the Nissan Versa/Almera can get through a design review? And the Infiniti QX80.

    These beasts look worse than Predator without the mask.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
    Reply
 

Add a comment

required

required