{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}} {{Short description|Lebanese automotive executive}} {{Infobox person | name = Ralph Debbas | image = | alt = | caption = Debbas in 2020 | birth_date = {{Birth year and age|1987}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-02-19/dubai-maker-of-3-4-million-supercar-seeks-funds-to-go-electric|title=Dubai Maker of $3.4 Million Supercar Seeks Funds to Go Electric|last=Parasie|first=Nicholas|date=19 February 2020|website=Bloomberg|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200225103651/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-02-19/dubai-maker-of-3-4-million-supercar-seeks-funds-to-go-electric|archive-date=25 February 2020|access-date=25 February 2020}}</ref> | birth_place = Lebanon | other_names = | education = Lebanese American University<br>Coventry University<ref name=":0" /> | occupation = CEO of W Motors | years_active = 2006-present | employer = W Motors | known_for = Founding W Motors | boards = Chairman and CEO of W Motors | spouse = | children = | awards = '''2009'''<br>New Designer of Excellence<br>Trophée de L’Argus<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://arabfashioncouncil.com/ralph-debbas/|title=Ralph Debbas|website=Arab Fashion Council|language=en-US|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180908051621/http://arabfashioncouncil.com/ralph-debbas/|archive-date=8 September 2018|access-date=3 December 2019}}</ref><br>'''2013'''<br>The Visionary Entrepreneur of the Year<br>'''2015'''<br>The Luxury Arab World Award<br>BIAF 2015 Award<ref name=":1"/><br>'''2019'''<br>Automotive CEO of the Year<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wmotors.ae/blog/?article=ralph_r_debbas_automotive_ceo_of_the_year|title=Ralph R. Debbas Automotive CEO of the year|date=3 October 2019|website=W Motors Blog|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928033505/https://wmotors.ae/blog/?article=ralph_r_debbas_automotive_ceo_of_the_year|archive-date=28 September 2020|access-date=3 December 2019}}</ref><br>40 And Under 40<ref name=":3" /> | website = {{Official website|https://wmotors.ae/founder-and-ceo.html}} | signature_alt = Signature of Ralph Debbas }}
'''Ralph R. Debbas''' (born 1987) is a Lebanese automotive entrepreneur, designer, and businessman. He is best known as the chief executive officer of W Motors, which he founded in 2012, and the designer of the Lykan HyperSport.
== Early life and education == Debbas was born in Lebanon in 1987 to a family of industrialists.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=AE>{{Cite web|url=https://aeworld.com/lifestyle/automotive/meet-ralph-debbas-the-man-behind-the-new-fenyr-supersport-and-chairman-of-w-motors/|title=Meet Ralph Debbas the man behind the new FENYR SuperSport and Chairman of W Motors|date=18 November 2015|website=A&E Magazine|language=en|access-date=3 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190517171358/http://aeworld.com/lifestyle/automotive/meet-ralph-debbas-the-man-behind-the-new-fenyr-supersport-and-chairman-of-w-motors/|archive-date=17 May 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
Debbas studied economics and began to study graphic design at the Lebanese American University.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Ralph R Debbas|url=https://worldusabilitycongress.com/wuc_speaker/ralph-r-debbas/|website=World Usability Congress|language=en-US|access-date=3 December 2019|archive-date=28 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928033506/https://worldusabilitycongress.com/wuc_speaker/ralph-r-debbas/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web|title=Founder & CEO|url=https://wmotors.ae/founder-and-ceo.html|last=Debbas|first=Ralph|website=W Motors|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191109004700/https://www.wmotors.ae/founder-and-ceo.html|archive-date=9 November 2019|access-date=3 December 2019}}</ref> He quit his graphic design course to study automotive design, which he studied with honours at Coventry University<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.formtrends.com/w-motors-the-story-behind-the-first-arab-supercar/|title=W Motors: The First Arab Supercar|last1=Gallina|first1=Eric|date=27 December 2012|website=Form Trends|language=en-US|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190511201419/https://www.formtrends.com/w-motors-the-story-behind-the-first-arab-supercar/|archive-date=11 May 2019|access-date=3 December 2019}}</ref> after turning down an offer from the Pratt Institute in the USA.<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=2017|editor-last=Danon|editor-first=Suzanne|title=Life in the fast lane|url=https://alumni.coventry.ac.uk/file/2017-site/rise/Rise-Magazine-Issue-1.pdf|url-status=live|magazine=Rise|publisher=Coventry University Alumni Office|issue=1|pages=34–37|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928033505/https://alumni.coventry.ac.uk/file/2017-site/rise/Rise-Magazine-Issue-1.pdf|archive-date=28 September 2020|access-date=29 May 2020}}</ref>
== Career in the automotive industry == Before starting development of W Motors, Debbas worked as a designer for Land Rover<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|url=https://www.arabianbusiness.com/w-motors-make-3-4m-sports-car-in-uae-qatar-486994.html|title=W Motors to make $3.4m sports car in UAE, Qatar|last=Derhally|first=Massoud|date=13 January 2013|website=ArabianBusiness.com|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130126083105/http://www.arabianbusiness.com/w-motors-make-3-4m-sports-car-in-uae-qatar-486994.html|archive-date=26 January 2013|access-date=18 April 2020}}</ref> and Aston Martin.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":7">{{Cite web|url=http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/70402|title=Qatari Sheikh First Owner of the Priciest Lebanese-Made Supercar|date=1 February 2013|website=Naharnet|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171227154628/http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/70402|archive-date=27 December 2017|access-date=18 April 2020}}</ref>
In 2009, Debbas launched Wolf Design and Innovation Group (WDI Group), of which he was listed as Executive Head of Design.<ref>{{Cite web|title=W Motors Teases Extravagant Hyper Sport Limited-edition Supercar|url=https://www.drive.com.au/car-review/gallery/w-motors-teases-extravagant-hyper-sport-76313.html|last=Anderson|first=Peter|date=23 July 2012|website=Drive|language=en-au|access-date=29 May 2020|archive-date=28 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928033506/https://www.drive.com.au/car-review/gallery/w-motors-teases-extravagant-hyper-sport-76313.html|url-status=live}}</ref> WDI Group worked on a variety of projects including boats, furniture and interior design, consumer goods, and graphic/web design,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Inside W Motors, Creators of the Lykan Hypersport|url=https://www.formtrends.com/inside-w-motors/|last=Gallina|first=Eric|date=15 November 2013|website=Form Trends|language=en-US|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191203011736/https://www.formtrends.com/inside-w-motors/|archive-date=3 December 2019|access-date=29 May 2020}}</ref> and was active in Beirut and Paris.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Welcome|url=http://www.wdi-group.com/Welcome.html|website=WDI Group|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111129180020/http://www.wdi-group.com/Welcome.html|archive-date=29 November 2011}}</ref> [[File:Lykan HyperSport.jpg|left|thumb|The Lykan HyperSport, the first car produced by W Motors and the first of Debbas's production designs]] He began development of W Motors and design of the Lykan in 2006,<ref name=AE/> and in 2008 had several design projects sponsored by the European Union.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ralph R. Debbas: The Innovation Interview|url=https://www.brulteco.com/ralph-debbas-innovation-interview/|date=9 December 2013|website=Brulte & Company|language=en-US|access-date=29 May 2020|archive-date=28 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928033506/https://www.brulteco.com/ralph-debbas-innovation-interview/|url-status=live}}</ref> W Motors was officially founded in 2012<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://wmotors.ae/our_story.html|title=W Motors: History|date=2020|website=wmotors.ae|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191109004459/https://www.wmotors.ae/our_story.html|archive-date=9 November 2019|access-date=25 February 2020}}</ref> with the launch of the Lykan HyperSport.<ref name=":7" /> It is the first Middle Eastern car manufacturer, making Debbas the first automotive executive in the Middle East.<ref>{{Cite web|title=W Motors, UAE|url=https://info.japanesecartrade.com/content-item/1139-w-motors|access-date=20 July 2020|website=info.japanesecartrade.com|language=en-gb|archive-date=20 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200720065938/https://info.japanesecartrade.com/content-item/1139-w-motors|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":2" /> According to Debbas, the Lykan HyperSport was deliberately extravagant because:
{{quote|If I had launched an affordable car from the Middle East, nobody would have talked about it… But when you create a shock by selling a $3.4m car – and back in 2013 it was the most expensive car in the world – people will talk, whether it’s negative or positive.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=https://www.arabianbusiness.com/cars-boats/417174-look-at-me-now|title=Look at me now: W Motors CEO Ralph Debbas|last=Hamdan|first=Lubna|date=2019-04-06|website=ArabianBusiness.com|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200225103411/https://www.arabianbusiness.com/cars-boats/417174-look-at-me-now|archive-date=2020-02-25|access-date=2020-02-25}}</ref>|author=|title=|source=}}
He contributed to the design of the ICONIQ Model 7.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Studiotorino|url=https://www.studiotorino.com/en/st/st.htm|website=Studiotorino.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180802081417/http://www.studiotorino.com/en/st/st.htm|archive-date=2 August 2018|access-date=29 May 2020}}</ref> The Fenyr SuperSport followed with production beginning in 2018, but was not designed by Debbas.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/lifestyle/motoring/hypercar-manufacturer-w-motors-opens-its-new-dubai-boutique-in-pictures-1.680193|title=Hypercar manufacturer W Motors opens its new Dubai boutique – in pictures|last=Workman|first=Adam|date=30 November 2017|website=The National|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180119175518/https://www.thenational.ae/lifestyle/motoring/hypercar-manufacturer-w-motors-opens-its-new-dubai-boutique-in-pictures-1.680193|archive-date=19 January 2018|access-date=2 March 2020}}</ref>
Debbas launched the W Motors consultancy division in 2019, which now makes up 70% of the company's business.<ref name=":5" /> As of 2020, he owns shares and is a director of W Motors Automotive Group Holding Limited.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.difc.ae/public-register/w-motors-automotive-group-holding-limited/|title=W Motors Automotive Group Holding Limited|date=11 November 2019|website=Dubai International Financial Centre|language=en-us|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200225103349/https://www.difc.ae/public-register/w-motors-automotive-group-holding-limited/|archive-date=25 February 2020|access-date=25 February 2020}}</ref> He continues as the CEO and chairman of W Motors S.A.L.<ref name=":4" />
== Views on the automotive industry == Debbas has often spoken on the future of the transportation industry, particularly the impact of automation and electrification on vehicle ownership and manufacture.<ref name=":5" />
Debbas believes that electrification of cars will become widespread and that as the development of self-driving technology advances, traditional car ownership will decline to the point were road transport is provided in a manner he compares to airlines: the role and importance of manufacturers will decline, and cars will be owned by providers.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":8">{{Cite web|url=https://www.arabianbusiness.com/417365-car-brands-will-not-exist-in-future-as-shared-mobility-grows-says-w-motors-ceo|title=Car brands 'will not exist' in future as shared mobility grows, says W Motors CEO|last=Hamdan|first=Lubna|date=9 April 2019|website=ArabianBusiness.com|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410153631/https://www.arabianbusiness.com/417365-car-brands-will-not-exist-in-future-as-shared-mobility-grows-says-w-motors-ceo|archive-date=10 April 2019|access-date=5 March 2020}}</ref> Because of this, he predicts his son Karl (born 2016) will never need to or may be unable to own a car or hold a driver's license.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":8" />
He has stated that the Middle East has great potential for a local automotive industry, but lack of relevant knowledge in the region is a limiting factor.<ref>{{Cite web|title=W Motors is set to open the first hypercar factory in the Middle East|url=https://www.cnn.com/style/article/w-motors-factory-dubai/index.html|last=Monks|first=Kieron|date=27 March 2020|website=CNN|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200422224513/https://www.cnn.com/style/article/w-motors-factory-dubai/index.html|archive-date=22 April 2020|access-date=24 May 2020}}</ref> == Awards == Debbas has been the recipient of several business and design awards during his career. {| class="wikitable sortable" !Year !Award !Conferred by ! class="unsortable"|Ref. |- | rowspan="2" |2009 |New Designer of Excellence |ND London | rowspan="2" align="center" |<ref name=":0" /> |- |Trophée de L’Argus |ARGUS Paris |- |2013 |The Visionary Entrepreneur of the Year |CCS | rowspan="3" align="center" |<ref name=":1" /> |- | rowspan="2" |2015 |The Luxury Arab World Award |Luxury Arab World |- |BIAF Award |Beirut International Awards Festivals |- | rowspan="2" |2019 |Automotive CEO of the Year |CEO Middle East Awards | align="center" |<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wmotors.ae/blog/?article=ralph_r_debbas_automotive_ceo_of_the_year|title=Ralph R. Debbas Automotive CEO of the year|date=3 October 2019|website=W Motors Blog|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928033511/https://wmotors.ae/blog/?article=ralph_r_debbas_automotive_ceo_of_the_year|archive-date=28 September 2020|access-date=3 December 2019}}</ref> |- |40 And Under 40 |Arabian Business | align="center" |<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://www.arabianbusiness.com/lists/434009-40-under-40-2019-ralph-debbas|title=40 Under 40 2019 Ralph Debbas|date=2019|website=ArabianBusiness.com|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928033516/https://www.arabianbusiness.com/lists/434009-40-under-40-2019-ralph-debbas|archive-date=28 September 2020|access-date=2 March 2020}}</ref> |}
== Personal life == Debbas has an extensive personal collection of cars produced in the 1990s.<ref name=":5" />
== See also ==
* ''L'Argus'' (automobiles French magazine)
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == {{Sister project links|collapsible=yes|wikt=no|c=no|commonscat=no|n=no|q=no|s=no|author=no|b=no|voy=no|v=no|d=Q96371779|species=no|species_author=no|m=no|mw=no}} * [https://wmotors.ae/ W Motors official website] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20111129180020/http://www.wdi-group.com/Welcome.html WDI Group website (archived)]
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Debbas, Ralph}} Category:1987 births Category:Chief executives in the automotive industry Category:Lebanese chairpersons of corporations Category:Lebanese business executives Category:Lebanese chief executives Category:Emirati people of Lebanese descent Category:Alumni of Coventry School of Art and Design Category:Living people Category:Date of birth missing (living people) Category:Place of birth missing (living people) Category:Missing middle or first names Category:Lebanese company founders Category:Founders of motor vehicle manufacturers Category:Lebanese American University alumni Category:Alumni of Coventry University