Skoda Picks VW Veteran as Design Leader

Volkswagen AG’s Skoda unit has chosen Oliver Stefani to become its new design chief on Sept. 1.

Stefani, 53, currently is head of exterior design for the VW brand. He succeeds Jozef Kaban, who left in February to become chief brand designer for BMW AG.

Skoda says Stefani’s mission will be to inject more pizzazz into Skoda’s model lineup and help lead the brand into an “era of digitalization and electrification.”

Stefani studied design in Germany and California. He began his career at VW 15 years ago. Since then he has worked on models ranging from the subcompact Up! and Polo to the Gulf five-door hatch, Jetta midsize sedan and Tiguan crossover vehicle. He also contributed to the brand’s I.D. electric microbus concept.