VW Group appoints new Volkswagen brand design boss

Former Bentley designer Andreas Mindt has been promoted to head of design for the Volkswagen brand – replacing Jozef Kabaň, who had only been in the role for two years.

Inside sources have told Automobilwoche that Thomas Schäfer, who took over as Volkswagen cars CEO in July 2022, had significant disagreements with Kabaň over the group's design direction.

Reports suggest Schäfer asked Kabaň’s team to ‘rework’ the retro-styled design of the 2021 Volkswagen ID. Life concept – which previews the production ID.2 electric city hatchback – and change the now-delayed flagship Trinity electric sedan to serve the more popular SUV market.

The report also follows an earlier story with the UK's Car magazine that Schäfer had tasked the company's engineers and designers with improving the interior quality and infotainment of upcoming new models, starting with an update to the existing ID.3 electric hatch.

(It's worth nothing, though, that shortcomings in quality and user experience are often the result of cost-focused pressure from above – Ed.)

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Andreas Mindt, former Bentley design lead, is now in charge of the Volkswagen Group's overall styling direction

Not reported is whether overall VW Group design chief Michael Mauer played a part in any disagreements or decisions on replacing Kabaň.

Whether these reports prove true, Kabaň is not short on achievements: He oversaw the styling of Volkswagen's ID electric car line-up, including the ID.3 hatchback, ID.4 SUV and ID.Buzz van, as well as being credited for the current Skoda Superb, Kodiaq and Karoq designs from previous roles.

Kabaň has not left the company, however – and indeed his ongoing role may be evidence that no conflict occurred at all. He is now tasked with a creative art director role, responsible for “forward-looking mobility solutions” for the German automaker.

Likewise, Mindt is a proven design lead. He was formerly the head of design for Bentley, where he led the brand's new design direction, showcased with the ultra-exclusive Mulliner Batur coupe.

As a longtime VW Group worker, Mindt previously worked on the first-generation Volkswagen Tiguan SUV design, the exterior of the seventh-generation Golf small car, and models in the Audi line-up.