[RahulNagaraj]

According to reports, Jozef Kaban, Volkswagen's chief designer will soon be replaced by Andreas Mindt who is currently Bentley's design head.

Reports stated that Andreas Mindt will take over the new role from Kaban from February 1st, 2023, while Kaban will be given a new post within the VW Group. The reason for the change in position is said to be because of some design differences between Kaban and Volkswagen CEO, Thomas Schaefer.



As per sources, Kaban was asked to change the retro-styling of the ID.Life Concept (unveiled at the 2021 IAA Munich Auto Show) to have a more modern look, as the concept was supposed to preview the brand's entry-level ID electric car in 2025. Kaban was also asked by Schaefer to rework the styling of Volkswagen's Trinity flagship EV from a sedan to a crossover.

With Andreas Mindt now taking over as Volkswagen design head, his position at Bentley will go to Tobias Suehlmann who currently heads the exterior design team of the luxury brand.

Jozef Kaban has been a part of the VW Group since 1999 and has worked for brands like Audi, Bugatti & Skoda.

Source: Automobilwoche

Link to Team-BHP news

[ads11]

Isn't Josef Kaban the brains behind Skoda's handsome design language of the last decade or so? If so that's quite a loss. I rather like his understated taste.

Also, if he was booted for adopting a retro-futurist look for a VW EV, can't say I'm going to like the direction the new VW CEO is going. Retro is back in vogue (the ID.Life looks great to me!). If it were up to this guy he'd probably kill the ID-Buzz project dead in the water.

Can't say I'm altogether enthused by the Bentley design head taking over - they've copped flak for their flagship designs essentially poaching the Aston Martin coupe silhouette. Most of their cars now are bulbous muscly country manors on wheels (granted that's what the target client base is after).

[omranga98]

Hey BMW's CEO, you may find something inspiring here and do the needful

[HammerHead]

Jozef Kaban surely did wonders for Skoda and was credited for Skoda Superb, Octavia and Kodiaq's design. Let's see where he lands.

Originally Posted by omranga98

Hey BMW's CEO, you may find something inspiring here and do the needful

He was with BMW for 2 years, not as head of design though.

[volkman10]

Bentley design director ‘Promoted’ to VW design chief.

One minute Andreas Mindt was overseeing the design of six- and seven-figure Bentleys; the next he’s trying to work out how to make the 2025 Volkswagen Polo fractionally less boring.

Andreas Mindt’s newly vacated Bentley chair is now occupied by Bentley’s former exterior design boss.

Mindt has just left the British luxury brand, where he was Director of Bentley Design, to become Head of Volkswagen Design. But what might sound like a huge demotion is almost certainly considered a serious promotion in the designer’s eyes.

Drivers might aspire to escape our humdrum Volkswagens and own a Bentley, designers might well look at things the other way around. Being in charge of shaping the look of millions of Volkswagens, rather than merely a few thousand Bentleys, means Mindt has far more power and influence than he ever did before.

He replaces Jozef Kabaň, who becomes Creative Art Director Volkswagen, which VW says means he “will develop forward-looking mobility solutions for the Volkswagen brand,” whatever that means.



Link

[Aaroah]

Originally Posted by ads11

Isn't Josef Kaban the brains behind Skoda's handsome design language of the last decade or so?
.

Not only the Skoda designs but Kaban was the design lead for the mighty Bugatti Veyron as well in the past.

[Contrapunto]

If Tesla thinks they needs some design zing, especially for their proposed mass-market cars , they know where to go ;-)

VW Group's inability to deal with people who think ahead, lean forward and try to play for the future is a fatal strategic flaw. Unfortunately, looks like it is a cultural issue. Let's see how the future plays out...

[QuentinTino]

It’s a shame that they dismissed Jozef as the chief of design.
Jozef Kaban is to Europe what Pratap Bose is to India.