BMW Names Two New Design Chiefs

BMW AG has hired Jozef Kaban, formerly in charge of exterior design at Volkswagen AG’s Skoda brand, to head design activities for its namesake brand later this year.

Kaban previously penned the Bugatti Veyron and was in charge of design at VW’s Audi brand before moving to Skoda. The 44-year-old succeeds Karim Habib, who abruptly left BMW last month after four years as design chief.

BMW also has promoted Domagoj Dukec to take charge of the design team for two BMW sub-brands: M performance vehicles and “i” hybrid and electric vehicles. Dukec, 41, previously was responsible for exterior design for the BMW and i marques.

At BMW i, Dukec succeeds Benoit Jacob, who quit BMW i last spring to join China electric-car startup Future Mobility Corp.

Kaban and Dukec will report to BMW Group Chief Designer Andrian van Hooydonk.