Top BMW designer Karim Habib defects to Mercedes-Benz
Both Mercedes-Benz and BMW have seen recent design-chief departures, and now there's been a defection. Karim Habib, who had a hand in the F01 7 Series while at BMW, has left the Roundel for the three-pointed star. Habib's move to Mercedes has him overseeing Mercedes' advanced design studio in Stuttgart, working with MBZ design chief Gorden Wagener.
Tasked with the brand's F cars, Habib's work will be looking two generations ahead, to the cars after the next new ones. Let's hope that the F700 goes on the same kind of de-uglification program as the 750 went on before it becomes an S-Class. Thanks for the tip, Horatiu!
[Source: Autocar via BMWBlog]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
revaholic 10:36AM (3/16/2009)
Isn't this kind of like treason? How do you sleep at night after taking up a job at your previous employer's main competitor?
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Serge 10:41AM (3/16/2009)
Well that explains the latest designs comming out of MB...
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nissanfreak87 10:56AM (3/16/2009)
yep, since he's responsible for advanced concepts at Mercedes, and just moved to the company, he is directly responsible for the fugly production MBs out there.
Serge 10:58AM (3/16/2009)
@nissanfreak87
Dude, it was a joke...
typ356 10:42AM (3/16/2009)
Did he really defect? or was there no place for him on BMW's design staff after Bangle retires.
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tuna 1:19PM (3/16/2009)
I would say this is yet another sign of who Van Hooydonk is. Those who blamed bangle for everything need to think things over.
jinsei888 10:53AM (3/16/2009)
lol.
bmw's domino effect post-Bangle...tsk tsk
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bismillah 11:00AM (3/16/2009)
I know Karim personally. He's a great guy and a great designer. This bodes well for M-B.
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Skipper 3:12AM (3/17/2009)
Skipper says get rid of Richard Kim and put Geoff Velazco on notice. He keeps sketching in the same view.
Patrick 11:30AM (3/16/2009)
I'd say this can only be a good thing for BMW design. Flush out the Bangle design features and start making good looking cars again.
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tuna 1:21PM (3/16/2009)
You actually prefer Van Hooydonks bloated works over Bangles? You are seriously mistaken in thinking things are better.
chad.dawkins 3:06PM (3/16/2009)
Funny thing is those "ugly" Bangle cars allowed them to outsell Mercedes for the first time.
Big Rocket 10:09PM (3/16/2009)
@chad.dawkins: Did BMW succeed because of Bangled (Hooydonked) designs, or did it succeed in spite of them?
undb 4:10PM (3/19/2009)
I know him as well...he personally created the CS concept...this is FANTASTIC news for Merc, a problem for BMW. I just can't wait to see where he'll take them!
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James 12:01PM (3/16/2009)
Well, when Mercs start looking like BMWs, at least we'll know why.
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Coco 12:07PM (3/16/2009)
Well since he uglified the 7series, he'll now uglify the S class :)
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Saluki 12:54PM (3/16/2009)
Too late