Interview: Karim Habib, senior vice president of design, Kia

Karim Habib, Kia, la auto show

With the Concept EV9 behind him, head of design Karim Habib outlines a new direction for the Kia brand, one that is led by contrasts

Kia unveiled its latest concept, the EV9, at this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show, previewing what a three-row electric SUV might look like as the brand begins to fulfill its promise to introduce seven new EV production models by 2027. CDN’s North America correspondent Laura Burstein caught up with Kia head of design Karim Habib for a private walkaround of the new concept and chat about the company’s design direction.

Laura Burstein: This vehicle is quite a departure from the Telluride, Kia’s current ICE three-row SUV. Why did your design team choose to go in this direction?

This content is available to subscribers only   |   Sign in

Get unlimited access to Car Design News

Unlock exclusive design knowledge, inspiration & connection.

Essential Trial

Trial

Includes:


Knowledge

  • Keep up-to-date with new car and who's where news exclusives
  • Discover the latest design thinking with design leader interviews
  • Stay ahead of the curve with design trend report articles and livestreams

Inspiration

  • Step inside leading design studios with our 'inside the studio' series
  • Read in-depth reviews of the new and influential vehicles
  • Discover cutting edge designs from other design disciplines
  • Access Interior Motives magazine in digital page turner format

30-days free

Then $16 per month

Billed as $194 annually

Start trial

Other currencies: £149 / €179 annually

Available to new subscribers only

Essential Plus

Essential

Includes:


Knowledge

  • Keep up-to-date with new car and who's where news exclusives
  • Discover the latest design thinking with design leader interviews
  • Stay ahead of the curve with design trend report articles and livestreams

Inspiration

  • Step inside leading design studios with our 'inside the studio' series
  • Read in-depth reviews of the new and influential vehicles
  • Discover cutting edge designs from other design disciplines
  • Receive 2x print editions of Interior Motives per year
  • Activate a 20% discount on the annual Car Design Review yearbook

Connection

  • Take part in subscriber only design challenges

$22 per month

Billed as $259 annually

Subscribe today

Other currencies: £199 / €239 annually

Premium

Premium-svg

Includes:


Knowledge

  • Keep up-to-date with new car and who's where news exclusives
  • Discover the latest design thinking with design leader interviews
  • Stay ahead of the curve with design trend report articles and livestreams
  • Access deeper insights with trend report whitepapers

Inspiration

  • Step inside leading design studios with our 'inside the studio' series
  • Read in-depth reviews of the new and influential vehicles
  • Discover cutting edge designs from other design disciplines
  • Receive 2x print editions of Interior Motives per year
  • Receive 1x annual copy of the Car Design Review yearbook
  • Activate a 25% discount on additional Car Design Review books

Connection

  • Take part in subscriber only design challenges
  • Participate in subscriber only online workshops

$32 per month

Billed as $389 annually

Subscribe today

Other currencies: £299 / €359 annually

 

Explore more subscription options.

 


Need help?


For help with individual user subscriptions please contact:

Eric Ng
Eric.Ng@ultimamedia.com

For help with multi user subscriptions please contact:

Angela Yang
Angela.Yang@cardesignnews.com

 

Sign in     Forgotten password