Head of Design Karim Habib Leaves BMW. Named Infiniti Design Chief

Jason · 01-18-2017, 03:31 AM

BIMMERPOST NEWS

Head of Design Karim Habib Leaves BMW

261
COMMENTS

Name: Karim-Habib-3.jpg
Views: 25204
Size: 414.3 KB

Updated 3/17/17:

Via Autonews: TOKYO -- Infiniti, Nissan Motor's premium brand, named Karim Habib, former global design chief for BMW, as the brand's new chief designer, effective July 1.

Habib will replace Alfonso Albaisa, who will be promoted to lead Nissan's global design. Habib will report to Albaisa.

Habib, a Lebanese-Canadian, studied engineering in Canada's McGill University before attending the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California prior to joining BMW as an interior designer. In 2012, he was promoted to head of design at the brand.

The executive will be based in Nissan's technical center in Atsugi, Japan, and lead Infiniti's design teams in Japan, Beijing, San Diego and London.

Original story 1/18/17:

No official announcement has yet been made by BMW, but Auto Motor Und Sport reports that Karim Habib, Head of BMW Design, has left the company.

Habib got his first break in BMW in 1998 working in designing the exterior of the BMW 7 Series. He left the company in 2009 to join Mercedes until he returned to BMW in 2011 as Head of Exterior Design. In January 2012 he succeeded Adrian von Hooydonk as Head of BMW Design and has been serving in this role until his departure.

No replacement has yet been named.

Paul-Bracq-BMW · 01-18-2017, 05:07 AM

Sad, but hopefully the new head of design will have BMW move away from their conservatism and create more exciting looking models...

Chihuahua · 01-18-2017, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul-Bracq-BMW

Sad, but hopefully the new head of design will have BMW move away from their conservatism and create more exciting looking models...

+1.

DRTMGRT · 01-18-2017, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul-Bracq-BMW

Sad, but hopefully the new head of design will have BMW move away from their conservatism and create more exciting looking models...

My sentiments exactly!!

Tengocity · 01-18-2017, 08:06 AM

Any coincidence that Mercedes have upped their game in exterior design since he left them, and BMW have gone backwards?

DL3 · 01-18-2017, 08:06 AM

So this is the #1 culprit?? Some pretty lame builds of late. Preferred back in the day with very little exterior changes.

Mr.SugarSkulls · 01-18-2017, 08:08 AM

Good- Won't miss the designs!

BMWPWR · 01-18-2017, 08:09 AM

Lame builds? Wasn't he in charge of the M2?

Yeineken · 01-18-2017, 08:10 AM

2017 is starting out great!

bb1857 · 01-18-2017, 08:11 AM

Hopefully moving forward there will be some model distinction versus..SM, MD, LG, and XL....car shopping shouldn't be similar to buying something at Gap

M3anPower · 01-18-2017, 08:18 AM

This is the first step for BWM to start producing "The ultimate driving machine" again

Germanauto · 01-18-2017, 08:22 AM

BMWs are handsome vehicles but they have become somewhat stale, especially their interiors. Audi has the same issue but it's worse from an exterior standpoint. At least Audi interiors look "new" with every redesign.

I'm interested to see where BMW goes from here.

YungDro · 01-18-2017, 08:24 AM

thread closed....

YungDro · 01-18-2017, 08:26 AM

thread closed....

BASELINE · 01-18-2017, 08:32 AM

Good Riddance!!! But things could be worse.... at least we didn't have to deal with Bangle at the design helm, that guy could make Adriana Lima look bad.

DarthColin · 01-18-2017, 08:40 AM

Lol. Another Brazilian superunderwear-model fan.

Zirenz2006 · 01-18-2017, 08:41 AM

Maybe some of you should apply for the job, see what you can design

440xiGCMsport · 01-18-2017, 08:46 AM

Right now everyone is more or less doing the cut and paste on their sm md and lg sedans.
I hope BMW isn't dumb enough to rehire Bangle.

Mako · 01-18-2017, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tengocity

Any coincidence that Mercedes have upped their game in exterior design since he left them, and BMW have gone backwards?

New Merc SUVs are hideous. The rest of their lineup now looks like Audi (same design different sizes).

M2Dynamic · 01-18-2017, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mako

New Merc SUVs are hideous. The rest of their lineup now looks like Audi (same design different sizes).

I think the same can be said about BMW lately. And I think the general consensus from the public has been very fond of the new MB SUV's. My cousin works there (doesn't mean shit) I always argue with him about how he chose the wrong side cause I'll argue that bmw is the best driving car car in the same range as any MB but I have to agree with him. Their new SUV's have been in high demand. Also the new S class (new meaning most recent) has just obliterated any other competition. I don't even think they can get beat by bmw in this large luxury sedan even though bmw has a chance to refresh a few years after them. I still think they are the kings with the S class being their pinnacle. The 3'er and 5'er vs C and E is very debatable and I would go bmw with both. But as far as S class it's honestly one of the best cars made for the money. Idk just what I've seen and what i think. I'd love for bmw to make some awesome changes with this and move ahead of everyone with some awesome classic designs with STANCE and aggression.

We waittttt and see

jpnh · 01-18-2017, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWPWR

Lame builds? Wasn't he in charge of the M2?

This

Cant beat the M2 and 2 series in general at least in my book

Paul-Bracq-BMW · 01-18-2017, 09:43 AM

See my post on Paul Bracq to see what kind of designer they need!

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1339590

01-18-2017, 03:31 AM	#1
Jason Administrator 43662 Rep 21,325 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Head of Design Karim Habib Leaves BMW. Named Infiniti Design Chief BIMMERPOST NEWS Head of Design Karim Habib Leaves BMW 261 COMMENTS Tweet Updated 3/17/17: Via Autonews: TOKYO -- Infiniti, Nissan Motor's premium brand, named Karim Habib, former global design chief for BMW, as the brand's new chief designer, effective July 1. Habib will replace Alfonso Albaisa, who will be promoted to lead Nissan's global design. Habib will report to Albaisa. Habib, a Lebanese-Canadian, studied engineering in Canada's McGill University before attending the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California prior to joining BMW as an interior designer. In 2012, he was promoted to head of design at the brand. The executive will be based in Nissan's technical center in Atsugi, Japan, and lead Infiniti's design teams in Japan, Beijing, San Diego and London. Original story 1/18/17: No official announcement has yet been made by BMW, but Auto Motor Und Sport reports that Karim Habib, Head of BMW Design, has left the company. Habib got his first break in BMW in 1998 working in designing the exterior of the BMW 7 Series. He left the company in 2009 to join Mercedes until he returned to BMW in 2011 as Head of Exterior Design. In January 2012 he succeeded Adrian von Hooydonk as Head of BMW Design and has been serving in this role until his departure. No replacement has yet been named. __________________ Check on the Latest BMW News Become a fan of Bimmerpost Facebook Follow us on Bimmerpost Twitter Subscribe to Bimmerpost Youtube Channel
	Appreciate 3 VCP1388.50 DCG785.50 psedog481.00 Tweet Quote

01-18-2017, 05:07 AM	#2
Paul-Bracq-BMW Moderator 4131 Rep 1,973 Posts Drives: 1981 323i, sports M5, LSD Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	Sad, but hopefully the new head of design will have BMW move away from their conservatism and create more exciting looking models... __________________ 1981 323i, 143 Kashmir-Metallic, 0094 Pergament, Sports M5, LSD.
	Appreciate 39 Nahlem1197.50 stoweboarder72031.50 JustChris17678.50 The Choosey begger71769.50 VCP1388.50 Pentium330.00 AKRAPOVICOWNS571.50 clbmw642.50 AGAV13806.00 kardboard32.50 adHudd12.00 tom @ eas8655.00 ///Mikey F80198.00 Mdecisive211.00 Niko ZV119.00 Rhyzen7.50 jusblazeee_f22337.50 sahajesh2306.00 AtlantaDude128.00 leo_du_garde29.00 MacaoM3NJ71.50 Alpine F31923.00 doccyber260.50 iamdabest1136.50 Ganxxta84.50 Russkey154.50 DCG785.50 Tisaksen38.50 GLTSRY190532.50 RACEM4TE373.00 CntryClub007498.50 MegaMatt397.00 DallasCajun123.00 ron_jeremy511.00 terryd5150503.00 Inablur163.00 dzu122.50 jpv-USC2.00 Quote

01-18-2017, 08:06 AM	#5
Tengocity General 8516 Rep 19,983 Posts Drives: 911, Cayenne Turbo, Disco 4 Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Crieff, Perthshire, Scotland iTrader: (0)	Any coincidence that Mercedes have upped their game in exterior design since he left them, and BMW have gone backwards? __________________ Current: Porsche 911 991 C4S, Porsche Cayenne Turbo, Land Rover Discovery 4. Gone...G01 X3 M40i, Cayman S 987, F31 340i, Cayman GT4, F82 M4 CP, Lotus Exige V6, G20 330e, F30 330e, Boxster S 987, F31 335d, Mini Cooper SD, E89 Z4, E90 330d 320d, E60 520d, E46 330d 320d, MX5s, E30 325i
	Appreciate 13 JustChris17678.50 6ixSpd6066.00 sy2767149.00 ///Mikey F80198.00 Inablur163.00 GLTSRY190532.50 RACEM4TE373.00 gds52886.50 DallasCajun123.00 bmwmnation49.50 terryd5150503.00 The Automotive Enthusiast2951.00 jusblazeee_f22337.50 Quote

01-18-2017, 08:06 AM	#6
DL3 First Lieutenant 138 Rep 321 Posts Drives: 335is Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Darien CT. iTrader: (0)	So this is the #1 culprit?? Some pretty lame builds of late. Preferred back in the day with very little exterior changes.
	Appreciate 3 123sub92.50 Bolos22.00 Quote

01-18-2017, 08:08 AM	#7
Mr.SugarSkulls Brigadier General 2887 Rep 3,245 Posts Drives: BMW i8 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Long Beach, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 BMW F13 M6 [10.00]	Good- Won't miss the designs! __________________ I'm always sunny, hunny.
	Appreciate 4 Biorin2784.50 MalibuBimmer966.00 ///Mikey F80198.00 Bolos22.00 Quote

01-18-2017, 08:09 AM	#8
BMWPWR Lieutenant 238 Rep 551 Posts Drives: M4 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Melbourne iTrader: (0)	Lame builds? Wasn't he in charge of the M2?
	Appreciate 5 c63er881.00 ilikebmxbikes1523.50 paul223425.50 rainfall165.50 Quote

01-18-2017, 08:10 AM	#9
Yeineken Colonel 1424 Rep 2,151 Posts Drives: '11 135i M Sport Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Delmarva Peninsula iTrader: (3) Garage List '11 135i [8.20] '16 Ford Hatchback [10.00] '15 X5 [10.00]	2017 is starting out great! __________________ Pyrat Clone
	Appreciate 1 iamdabest1136.50 Quote

01-18-2017, 08:11 AM	#10
bb1857 Major 869 Rep 1,412 Posts Drives: 2020 X3MC Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Sykesville, MD iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 BMW 335 E92 [0.00] 2015 BMW 428GC [0.00] 2014 BMW 535i [0.00]	Hopefully moving forward there will be some model distinction versus..SM, MD, LG, and XL....car shopping shouldn't be similar to buying something at Gap
	Appreciate 4 sbassi100.00 ///Mikey F80198.00 ghost34105.50 Kankles1489.00 Quote

01-18-2017, 08:18 AM	#11
M3anPower Banned 176 Rep 342 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Somewhere iTrader: (0)	This is the first step for BWM to start producing "The ultimate driving machine" again
	Appreciate 4 lawgone66.00 AtlantaDude128.00 V-Eight809.50 Brake_Late1937.00 Quote

01-18-2017, 08:22 AM	#12
Germanauto Major General 9844 Rep 6,144 Posts Drives: Alfa Romeo Giulia, Rosso Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: LA iTrader: (0)	BMWs are handsome vehicles but they have become somewhat stale, especially their interiors. Audi has the same issue but it's worse from an exterior standpoint. At least Audi interiors look "new" with every redesign. I'm interested to see where BMW goes from here.
	Appreciate 3 lawgone66.00 AtlantaDude128.00 DCG785.50 Quote

01-18-2017, 08:24 AM	#13
YungDro Major 1106 Rep 1,149 Posts Drives: - Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	thread closed.... Last edited by YungDro; 12-10-2019 at 08:15 PM..
	Appreciate 18 boostaddict30558.00 F32Fleet3907.50 ilikebmxbikes1523.50 fndrsn111.50 M-Pilot4891.50 WestBankM4248.00 ///Mikey F80198.00 Nelson@BimmerTech272.00 raysspl991.50 krnnerdboy192.00 Hammam52.50 Falafel Combo3797.50 Ganxxta84.50 Maz335i155.00 ADRQ081135.50 SilverRevlis121.50 1230vani713.00 3s-a-charm138.00 Quote

01-18-2017, 08:26 AM	#14
YungDro Major 1106 Rep 1,149 Posts Drives: - Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	thread closed.... Last edited by YungDro; 12-10-2019 at 08:15 PM..
	Appreciate 16 440xiGCMsport209.50 MalibuBimmer966.00 auf Deutsch1913.00 F82FTW74.50 fndrsn111.50 M-Pilot4891.50 WestBankM4248.00 ///Mikey F80198.00 krnnerdboy192.00 330xtrai220.50 becausephilchow177.50 WordOnRoad315.50 Ganxxta84.50 RACEM4TE373.00 Brake_Late1937.00 hipvspec54.50 Quote

01-18-2017, 08:32 AM	#15
BASELINE Lieutenant 136 Rep 401 Posts Drives: A few... Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New Canaan, CT iTrader: (3)	Good Riddance!!! But things could be worse.... at least we didn't have to deal with Bangle at the design helm, that guy could make Adriana Lima look bad.
	Appreciate 5 440xiGCMsport209.50 MalibuBimmer966.00 sygazelle13359.50 ///Mikey F80198.00 Brake_Late1937.00 Quote

01-18-2017, 08:40 AM	#16
DarthColin First Lieutenant 44 Rep 323 Posts Drives: 2011 1 Series M Coupe Join Date: May 2009 Location: Grenfell, SK iTrader: (0)	Lol. Another Brazilian superunderwear-model fan. __________________ ‘If it even looks like rain and you pretend to be Michael Schumacher in a 599 GTO, you’ll end up in a tree’ -Clarkson
	Appreciate 1 BASELINE136.00 Quote

01-18-2017, 08:41 AM	#17
Zirenz2006 Brigadier General 1773 Rep 4,683 Posts Drives: G87 M2 Zandvoort Blue Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: US - NE iTrader: (0)	Maybe some of you should apply for the job, see what you can design __________________ Current: 2024 ///M2 Zandvoort Blue Past: 2021 ///M3 Competition IOMG \| 2018 X3 ///M40i \| 2012 *328i* \| 2009 *335i* \| 2007 *335i Coupe* \| 2005 *545i* \| 2001 *325i*
	Appreciate 32 SF_DCT51.00 KovyAK2710.50 jzmundy1001.50 c63er881.00 Brookside252.50 Falafel Combo3797.50 Fabs///M43.50 DD335i117.00 W///7852.50 ilikebmxbikes1523.50 VCP1388.50 M-Pilot4891.50 WestBankM4248.00 StephGOD220.00 fecurtis3271.00 BMWPWR238.00 Vigilant305.00 AtlantaDude128.00 Obi Wong Kenobi34.50 WordOnRoad315.50 damnitBobby1002.50 DCG785.50 Arcanine13.00 paliknight2196.00 SilverRevlis121.50 raysspl991.50 1230vani713.00 SleevedCoyote70.00 Encanto1174.00 Brake_Late1937.00 3s-a-charm138.00 rainfall165.50 Quote

01-18-2017, 08:46 AM	#18
440xiGCMsport Lieutenant 210 Rep 470 Posts Drives: Estoril Blue Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Right now everyone is more or less doing the cut and paste on their sm md and lg sedans. I hope BMW isn't dumb enough to rehire Bangle.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-18-2017, 09:43 AM	#22
Paul-Bracq-BMW Moderator 4131 Rep 1,973 Posts Drives: 1981 323i, sports M5, LSD Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	See my post on Paul Bracq to see what kind of designer they need! http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1339590 __________________ 1981 323i, 143 Kashmir-Metallic, 0094 Pergament, Sports M5, LSD.
	Appreciate 1 CanadianGatorBacon237.50 Quote