Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Automotive News
  • Automotive News Europe
  • Automotive News China
  • Automobilwoche
Subscribe
  • Subscribe
  • login
  • HOME
  • News
    • News by Brand
    • Auto Shows
    • Canadians Abroad
    • Photo Galleries
    • Automakers
    • Suppliers
    • Retail
    • Dealer Best Practices
    • Government Relations
    • Trade and Tariffs
    • Technology
    • Labour
    • Aston Martin
    • BMW
      • Mini
      • Rolls Royce
    • Daimler
      • Mercedes Benz
      • Smart
    • Ferrari
    • Ford
      • Lincoln
    • General Motors
      • Buick
      • Cadillac
      • Chevrolet
      • GMC
    • Honda
      • Acura
    • Hyundai
      • Kia
    • Mazda
    • Mitsubishi
    • Nissan
      • Infiniti
    • Stellantis
      • Alfa Romeo
      • Chrysler
      • Dodge
      • Fiat Chrysler
      • Jeep
      • Fiat
      • Lancia
      • Maserati
      • Ram
    • Subaru
    • Tata
      • Jaguar
      • Land Rover
    • Tesla
    • Toyota
      • Lexus
    • Volkswagen
      • Audi
      • Bentley
      • Bugatti
      • Lamborghini
      • Porsche
    • Volvo
    • VinFast
    • Toronto Auto Show
  • Opinion
    • Blogs
  • Video
  • Podcasts
  • EVENTS & AWARDS
    • 2022 Auto News Canada All-Stars
    • 2022 Canadians To Watch
    • Notable Champions of Diversity
    • Best Dealerships To Work For
    • Canada Congress
    • Retail Forum: Toronto
    • Leading Women Roundtables
    • Embracing Diversity Roundtable
    • Embracing Diversity Roundtable Volume 2
    • EVs Decoded
    • 2023 Best Dealerships To Work For nominations
  • Jobs & Classifieds
  • +MORE
    • IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT
    • NEWSLETTERS
    • SUBSCRIBE
    • CLASSIFIEDS
    • PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
    • COMPANIES ON THE MOVE
    • WEBINARS
    • ADVERTISE WITH US
    • CONTACT US
    • DIGITAL EDITION
    • PUBLISHING PARTNERS
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. Executives
September 06, 2019 09:45 AM

Kia names Canadian Karim Habib to head vehicle design

Philip Nussel
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print
    Habib-MAIN_i.jpg

    Habib: "Kia is a growing, ambitious brand on a determined path toward electrification and mobility innovation."

    Kia Motors Corp. named former Infiniti design chief Karim Habib — a Lebanese-born Canadian — as a senior vice president, heading the Korean automaker's design center and presiding over the look of its vehicles.

    Habib will join Kia at the start of October and will be based at Kia's global design headquarters in Namyang, Korea, the company said Friday in a statement. He will report to Luc Donckerwolke, chief design officer for Hyundai Motor Group who also supervises Kia design.

    Nissan Motor Co. said last month that Habib — who joined Infiniti in July 2017 from BMW — was leaving Infiniti "to pursue other opportunities." Taisuke Nakamura was named Infiniti's global design chief.

    Karim Habib's career highlights:
    • 2017-19: Executive design director for Infiniti, Nissan Motor Co.
    • 2012-17: Head of design for BMW Automobiles, BMW Group
    • 2011-12: Head of exterior design for BMW Automobiles, BMW Group
    • 2009-11: Senior manager of advanced design for Germany, Daimler
    • 2007-09: Chief designer for advanced design, BMW Group
    • 2004-07: Senior designer for exterior production design, BMW Group
    • 2002-03: Exterior/interior designer for advanced design, BMW Group
    • 1998-01: Exterior/interior production designer, BMW Group

    "Kia is a growing, ambitious brand on a determined path toward electrification and mobility innovation," Habib said in a statement. "I am thrilled to be a part of this transformation to strengthen the Kia brand further into the future of the automotive industry, which promises to be full of challenges and opportunities.

    "I look forward to working with CDO Donckerwolke whose work I have admired for many years, as well as the Kia design team that has created some truly remarkable designs."

    Said Donckerwolke: "We highly appreciate Karim's talent and experience. He is joining Kia at a crucial moment to project the brand into the future of mobility and to reinforce the young-spirited and motivated design team which has won numerous international design awards."

    RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
    AutoCanada promotes Jeff Thorpe, Brian Feldman to North American president, COO
    Recommended for You
    Auto Canada Executives
    AutoCanada promotes Jeff Thorpe, Brian Feldman to North American president, COO
    Bev Goodman
    Ford's Bev Goodman: Women in auto need to 'take risks' and 'stay true to their values'
    CTW
    2023 Canadians to Watch
    cctv_vehicle-theft_1800x1200
    Sponsored Content: Many vehicle drivers in Ontario will be faced with a hefty insurance premium surcharge - on more vehicle models than you think – unless dealers do this
    Digital Edition
    Sept 2023 Issue
    View latest issue
    See our archive
    Sign up for free newsletters
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    Get Free Newsletters

    Sign up today for our Weekly Newsletter, Daily Newsletter and Breaking News Alerts. We'll deliver the news you need to know straight to your inbox.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    Subscribe Now

    An Automotive News Canada subscription includes print issues delivered to your doorstep and digitally to your inbox – plus unlimited, 24/7 access to our website.

    Subscribe Now
    Connect With Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram

    Our Mission

    The Automotive News Canada mission is to be the primary source of industry news, data and understanding for the industry's decision-makers interested in Canada.

    Contact Us

    1155 Gratiot Ave
    Detroit MI 48207

    1-877-812-1257

    Email Us

    ISSN 2475-5001 (print)
    ISSN 2475-501X (online)

    Resources
    • About us
    • Contact Us
    • Digital Edition Archive
    • Advertise with Us
    • Reprints
    • Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Legal
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    Automotive News Canada
    Copyright © 1996-2023. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • HOME
    • News
      • News by Brand
        • Aston Martin
        • BMW
          • Mini
          • Rolls Royce
        • Daimler
          • Mercedes Benz
          • Smart
        • Ferrari
        • Ford
          • Lincoln
        • General Motors
          • Buick
          • Cadillac
          • Chevrolet
          • GMC
        • Honda
          • Acura
        • Hyundai
          • Kia
        • Mazda
        • Mitsubishi
        • Nissan
          • Infiniti
        • Stellantis
          • Alfa Romeo
          • Chrysler
          • Dodge
          • Fiat Chrysler
          • Jeep
          • Fiat
          • Lancia
          • Maserati
          • Ram
        • Subaru
        • Tata
          • Jaguar
          • Land Rover
        • Tesla
        • Toyota
          • Lexus
        • Volkswagen
          • Audi
          • Bentley
          • Bugatti
          • Lamborghini
          • Porsche
        • Volvo
        • VinFast
      • Auto Shows
        • Toronto Auto Show
      • Canadians Abroad
      • Photo Galleries
      • Automakers
      • Suppliers
      • Retail
      • Dealer Best Practices
      • Government Relations
      • Trade and Tariffs
      • Technology
      • Labour
    • Opinion
      • Blogs
    • Video
    • Podcasts
    • EVENTS & AWARDS
      • 2022 Auto News Canada All-Stars
      • 2022 Canadians To Watch
      • Notable Champions of Diversity
      • Best Dealerships To Work For
        • 2023 Best Dealerships To Work For nominations
      • Canada Congress
      • Retail Forum: Toronto
      • Leading Women Roundtables
      • Embracing Diversity Roundtable
      • Embracing Diversity Roundtable Volume 2
      • EVs Decoded
    • Jobs & Classifieds
    • +MORE
      • IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT
      • NEWSLETTERS
      • SUBSCRIBE
      • CLASSIFIEDS
      • PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
      • COMPANIES ON THE MOVE
      • WEBINARS
      • ADVERTISE WITH US
      • CONTACT US
      • DIGITAL EDITION
      • PUBLISHING PARTNERS