BMW's Replacement Design Head Has Arrived From Koda
BMW has chosen former Volkswagen stylist Jozef Kaban to head design for its core brand. After Karim Habib’s exodus from the company last month, BMW found itself missing an essential portion of its product planning department.
Kaban, 44, has been an important part of Volkswagen AG’s styling department. Most famous for his early work designing Bugatti’s Veyron, he was later responsible for the less-exciting Volkswagen Lupo and Seat Arosa. He also modeled the current generation Škoda Octavia — possibly after having a fever dream about modernizing the Lincoln LS.
During his time at Volkswagen, Kaban was moved to Audi in 2003 and eventually became the brand’s exterior design chief in 2007. The following year he left VW to become chief of exterior design at Škoda. Interestingly, BMW’s official announcement did not make mention of his many years at the Volkswagen-owned Czech automobile manufacturer.
The automaker also promoted Domagoj Dukec, 41, to take over design responsibilities at BMW’s electric i-brand and its M performance division.
“I am looking forward to this strengthening of the BMW Group design team,” said Group chief designer Adrian van Hooydonk. “Both Jozef Kabaň and Domagoj Dukec bring the experience, talent and vision we need for the future direction of our design.”
[Image: Škoda Auto]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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So...BMW thinks the future of sedans is a generic look. Okay.
The Veyron is gaudy, which I'll admit might be the point. Skodas are just VW/Audis with different trims. Still decent, but BMW need to be special and unique. He has challenge because the internet will scream with complaints if they find some little detail they don't like.
Honestly, the Lupo was a very nice VW design. Nice and clean.
Wow, they found a guy from the one brand that is even more boring than BMW. Good luck! People hated on the "flame surfaced" Bimmers but they have aged nicely and look way better than the current crop.