Renowned car maker BMW has recently appointed Karim Habib as Head of BMW Design. The 42-year-old Lebanon-born Canadian, who will take charge next month, will look after the design of all BMW cars. Habib has been serving as Head of exterior design, since March 2011. He is also known for his active role in the development of BMW 7 Series and Concept CS.
He was eventually appointed as a Team Leader of Advanced Design in the initial period when he joined the BMW group in 1998. In 2009, he left the company and joined the rival company Mercedes-Benz as Senior Manager Advanced Design. However, in 2011, he returned to BMW and took the position of Head of Exterior Design.
Habib said, "I feel very honoured and I look forward to this new challenge. Now I have the opportunity of working together with a great team to shape the future face of the BMW brand.”
Adrian van Hooydonk, who oversees all the group's design functions as Senior Vice President of BMW will be the one whom Habib will report to. At the ceremony announcing Habib's appointment, Van Hooydonk said, "Karim Habib is an outstanding designer who has had a significant impact on the design of the BMW brand over many years.” He further added, “His long standing experience and subtle instinct for timely elegance and dynamics are the ideal prerequisites for this demanding task. I look forward very much to his support and collaboration.”
