In a daring transfer to redefine its presence within the automotive trade, Kia is enhancing its give attention to know-how and design by welcoming Oliver Samson and Seungmo Lim, designers previously related to Mercedes-Benz and BMW, to supervise its European and Chinese language design facilities beginning April 1st. This recruitment underscores Kia’s pivot in the direction of electrical autos since each designers had been in charger of electrical autos tasks.

Seungmo Lim transitions to Kia following an illustrious profession that commenced at BMW in 2009, culminating in his vital design contributions till 2022. After BMW, Lim’s journey included impactful stints at DiDi after which at Geely beginning September 2023, notably specializing in electrical autos. At BMW, Lim was answerable for the BMW i4, Imaginative and prescient Subsequent 100 Idea, exterior design F90 M5, BMW M235i Racing, BMW Imaginative and prescient ConnectedDrive and BMW 4 Collection Coupe, Convertible and Gran Coupe. He additionally designed the precursor of the i4, the BMW i Imaginative and prescient Dynamics Idea. Seungmo Lim is a recipient of honors together with the iF Design Award and a gold German Design Award.

Oliver Samson, making a comeback to Kia, carries a wealthy background from his tenure at Mercedes-Benz Superior Design and subsequent roles at NIO and Changan, after starting his journey at Hyundai and Kia’s European design facility.  In a press launch, Kia says that the strategic engagement of Samson and Lim is ready to catalyze the event of groundbreaking designs, supplies, and ideas, all whereas supporting Kia’s core design operations in Korea. This initiative aligns with Kia’s transformation right into a sustainable mobility options supplier, showcased via its adoption of the “Opposites United” design philosophy in its newest EV fashions, the EV6 and EV9.

As a part of Kia’s dedication to electrification and innovation, the model plans to introduce a spread of economically priced electrical autos, starting with the EV3, aimed toward broadening its electrical automobile portfolio. Each designers will report back to Government Vice President and Head of Kia International Design, Karim Habib, the previous BMW Head of Design. Habib joined Kia in 2019 after an extended and profitable profession at BMW.

[Source:  Kia]