Karim-Antoine Habib returns to BMW, gets a promotion

Photo: BMW

Karim-Antoine Habib is leaving Mercedes-Benz and returning to BMW where he started his career. Following an absence of two years, the newly-promoted Habib will become Head of Exterior Design according to a press release by the Bavarian automaker.

The 40-year-old designer was born in Lebanon but moved to Cartierville, in Montreal, when he was 10. His long-time passion for cars and especially car design helped him and motivated him while growing up in a tough neighbourhood.

Habid persevered because he wanted to make a living out of designing automobiles. He graduated in Mechanical Engineering at McGill University (Montreal) and Transportation Design at the Art Centre College for Design (Switzerland and California). The undeniably-talented young man quickly made an impression on then BMW Chief Designer Chris Bangle, who hired him right after college.

Habib was involved in the development of the 7 Series and Concept CS, not to mention the interior of the 5 Series. He left BMW in 2009 to become head of the F Series and experimental vehicles at Mercedes-Benz.

Source: BMW Blog