Tag Archives: management

BMW

BMW Motorrad Motorsport units course for strategic realignment.

Munich. With a brand new administration construction, BMW Motorrad emphasizes its ambitions to considerably strengthen the model’s dedication to motorsport. As of June 1st Sven Blusch will take over as the brand new head of BMW Motorrad Motorsport. Marc Bongers will totally consider the operational administration of the FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) engagement.

As the brand new head of BMW Motorrad Motorsport Sven Blusch will concentrate on the strategic realignment and improve the stable base for profitable motorsport sooner or later. Due to his earlier duty for race and check group at BMW M Motorsport, he contributes over a decade of motorsport experience to his new position. Since becoming a member of
BMW M Motorsport in 2013 he has celebrated a number of motorsport successes with the groups. Blusch has additionally been extremely profitable in selling younger expertise at BMW, creating Dan Harper, Max Hesse, and Neil Verhagen into BMW M manufacturing facility drivers. His skilled profession additionally consists of positions as a race engineer and information engineer, underlining his complete understanding of racing dynamics.

From June 1st  Marc Bongers will concentrate on the WorldSBK and lead BMW Motorrad Motorsports manufacturing facility engagements to additional successes. He has constructed the bottom for at the moment’s factory-supported groups within the WorldSBK and FIM Endurance World Championship (EWC), top-notch racers have been delivered to BMW Motorrad Motorsport, and the BMW Motorrad Motorsport challenge was set on monitor to success.

The organizational modifications underline BMW Motorrad’s dedication to a long-term and success-oriented motorsport technique. The objective is evident: to proceed dwelling the racing spirit, to strengthen the model on and beside the racetrack and to share the eagerness for bike racing with followers and companions worldwide.

Volkswagen

Volkswagen model trims Board of Management: established processes from “New Mobility” division to be built-in into Technical Development

The Volkswagen Passenger Cars model is trimming its Board of Management; subsequent to a pioneer section for the “New Mobility” division, and according to plans, the model is integrating key components of this division into Technical Development (TE). Led by Kai Grünitz, Volkswagen Brand Board Member for Technical Development, all growth actions for future applied sciences and car architectures (MEB and SSP) have already been bundled. The growth division additionally steers growth volumes for ICE mannequin collection (MQB). In future, duty for collection technical undertaking administration will relaxation completely with TE. In the context of the model’s efficiency program, this plan of action helps the additional optimization of growth processes in Wolfsburg and helps shorten growth occasions. New software program growth processes for electrical automobiles based mostly on the MEB have been particularly examined and established within the “New Mobility” division. The switch of those actions to the MQBevo has already taken place as deliberate, and the “New Mobility” division’s mission has been achieved. Thomas Ulbrich, Volkswagen Brand Board Member for “New Mobility” since 2022, has been named the Volkswagen Group’s Head of Development in China efficient April 1, 2024.

“On behalf of the entire team I would like to thank Thomas Ulbrich for his tremendous commitment to the Volkswagen brand. He has been a driving force behind the development of our ID. electric range and put some truly pioneering work into software and digital networking and the associated processes. This work is now bearing fruit and will be transferred in full to Technical Development. I am delighted that our close ties will continue once he has taken up his new role in China and that he will be contributing his expertise to the development of the VW brand in the world’s largest automobile market,” stated Thomas Schäfer, CEO of the Volkswagen model and Member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG, Brand Group Core. “Going forward, Kai Grünitz will be in charge of both the “New Mobility” future matters and Technical Development. This is the correct step on the proper time. New digital applied sciences will thus develop into an much more integral a part of our future-oriented car growth. At the identical time, we’re making an essential contribution to the model’s efficiency program with extra environment friendly constructions and leaner processes.”

Additional info:

Curriculum vitae: Dipl.-Ing. Thomas Ulbrich

Curriculum vitae: Kai Grünitz

BMW

Staff changes in BMW Group Corporate Communications

Munich. BMW AG Corporate and Governmental Affairs is reorganizing its management team at departmental level with effect from November 1, 2023.

The changes will affect the following functions specifically:

Alexandra Landers will become the head of the “Product Communications BMW Automotive” department, where she will primarily be responsible for product, lifestyle, and brand communications for the core BMW brand.

Prior to this role, Landers has held various positions such as HR manager, Inhouse Consulting, and Regional Head of Communications in Europe. She has most recently led the “PR Events” department.

Nicole Geisel will assume the role of head of the “Corporate Communications Purchasing, Supplier Network and Sustainability” department.

Geisel has worked in financial and IT communications, supported the Supervisory Board of BMW AG, and most recently led the BMW Group’s Communications Strategy, Planning, Steering, and Market Steering for Europe and China, as well as the unit’s Business IT.

Markus Sagemann will take on the responsibility for the “PR Events” department.

In recent years, he has held various management positions in external and internal communications for the BMW Group, and most recently managed the “Corporate Communications Purchasing, Supplier Network and Sustainability” department.

Ingo Wirth will oversee the “Strategy, Steering” department.

With prior experience in marketing communications and board management for the Board of Management, Wirth has been in charge of product communications for the MINI and BMW Motorrad brands and most recently for the core BMW brand.

If you have any questions, please contact:

BMW Group Corporate Communications

Dr. Hans-Peter Ketterl

Spokesperson HR and
Member of the Board of Management BMW AG, People and Real Estate

Tel: +49-89-382-23923

Mail: Hans-Peter.Ketterl@bmwgroup.com

BMW

BMW Group Announces New Top Management Appointments

Munich. The BMW Group is making several changes to its top management positions under the Management Board. These changes include the appointment of Jochen Goller as the head of the Customer, Brands, Sales division, and the appointment of Christopher Brownridge as the CEO of Rolls-Royce.

Frank Weber, currently in charge of the Development division, will see changes in his role. Meanwhile, Torsten Müller-Ötvös, who has been responsible for Rolls-Royce since 2010, will retire at the end of November 2023, making way for Christopher Brownridge to lead the prestigious brand.

Markus Flasch will take over as the head of BMW Motorrad, succeeding Markus Schramm, who has held the position since 2018. Flasch, currently in charge of the product line for mid-size and luxury class BMW vehicles and the Rolls-Royce marque, has been with the BMW Group since 2015.

Replacing Markus Flasch as the Head of Product Line Midsize and Luxury Class BMW, Rolls-Royce will be Nicolai Martin. Martin, who joined the BMW Group in 2004, is currently responsible for Driving Experience, overseeing the development of chassis, driving dynamics, and automated driving functions.

Mihiar Ayoubi, who has been with the BMW Group since 1997 and is currently leading the development of all Rolls-Royce vehicles, will assume the role of the new head of Driving Experience starting in January 2024.

Bernd Körber, the head of Product Management for the BMW brand, will also take on the additional responsibility of BMW Brand Management from November 2023.

Jens Thiemer, who is currently in charge of BMW Brand Management, will leave the BMW Group at the end of October 2023 to pursue new opportunities.

For further inquiries:

BMW Group Corporate Communications

Spokesperson: Sebastian Kessler

Telephone: +49 89 382-21616

Email: sebastian.ke.kessler@bmwgroup.de

Head of Communications Corporate, Finance, Sales: Eckhard Wannieck

Telephone: +49 89 382-24544

Email: eckhard.wannieck@bmwgroup.com

Media website: www.press.bmwgroup.com

Email: presse@bmwgroup.com

BMW

BMW Motorrad celebrates the opening of the BMW Motorrad Welt in its anniversary year.

The Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Oliver Zipse, and the Head of BMW Motorrad, Dr. Markus Schramm, opened BMW Motorrad Welt in Berlin yesterday, 28 September 2023, as the highlight of the brand’s anniversary celebrations. This took place exactly 100 years to the day after the first BMW motorcycle, the R 32, was presented at the Berlin Motor Show on 28 September 1923.

The ceremony was attended by 150 guests from politics, business and the press. On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of BMW Motorrad and the opening of the BMW Motorrad Welt, the company makes a donation of 100,000 euros. As an international brand with a production site in Berlin, this amount benefits both an international institution such as UNICEF and local and regional charities in Berlin and Brandenburg.

The highlight of the opening ceremony was not only the presentation of the best custom bikes based on the BMW R 18 model family as part of the BMW Motorrad Customizing Championship, but also the world premiere of the new BMW R 1300 GS, which continues the success story of the GS series.

“Today, BMW Motorrad is more innovative and diverse than ever. BMW Motorrad Welt perfectly embodies and presents our claim: Technological innovations that inspire people. Over the past eight years, we have invested more than half a billion euros in training and further education as well as state-of-the-art production technologies at the BMW Group Plant in Berlin. This is not only an endorsement of Berlin as a traditional location, but even more a clear commitment by BMW to Germany as an industrial location,” says Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG.

“When we celebrate 100 years of BMW Motorrad today, we are of course celebrating 100 years of German industrial history, 100 years of development and innovation, 100 years of global competition,” said Olaf Scholz, Federal Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany at the anniversary celebration. “The industrial country of Germany thrives on women and men who choose a career in industry. I was able to get an idea of how they work here last December. Craftsmanship meets high-tech, digitalization in education and training, employees with a wide variety of backgrounds, all of whom are passionate about 100-year traditional crafts, that impressed me. I am happy that with today’s opening of the Motorrad Welt, BMW is also enabling many curious people to discover what is being created here in Berlin thanks to your work.”

BMW Motorrad and the BMW Group Plant Berlin: a long-standing joint success story. BMW Motorrad Welt is located adjacent to the BMW motorcycle plant in Berlin-Spandau and thus exactly where the heart of the BMW Motorrad brand beats. BMW motorcycles have been manufactured in Berlin since 1969. Every day, 900 motorcycles and premium e-scooters roll off the assembly line on almost 230,000 square metres and in partly listed buildings. BMW Motorrad Welt now moves into its new home in one of the historic brick buildings.

“The BMW Group Plant in Berlin is one of the most steeped-in-tradition and at the same time most innovative industrial locations in Berlin and the region. It is an essential part of the BMW Motorrad success story. Almost the entire BMW Motorrad model range is manufactured in Berlin. From here we control the manufacturing in our international production network. It fills us with pride that we are reaffirming our commitment to Berlin with the opening of BMW Motorrad Welt at the production site,” emphasises Helmut Schramm, Head of BMW Group Plant Berlin.

“BMW Motorrad and the innovation capital Berlin — that’s a perfect match, and we’re proud that Berlin is part of the company’s 100-year success story. The plant at Am Juliusturm is a poster child for Berlin as a location; the employees at the BMW Motorradwerk provide proof every day that the answers to the mobility issues of our time come not only from China or Silicon Valley, but in fact from Berlin-Spandau as well. With the newly opened Motorrad Welt, Berlin will have one more attraction in the future — a real gift for the 100th anniversary of the major brand ‘Made in Berlin'”, explains Kai Wegner, Governing Mayor of Berlin.

“With BMW Motorrad Welt, our brand finds a home directly where our motorcycles are manufactured in Berlin. The term home is associated with strong emotions – just like BMW Motorrad Welt Berlin. It is our Home of the Brand. On an area of around 1,000 square metres, it offers a holistic brand experience that connects BMW Motorrad with its community in a lively and highly emotional way,” says Markus Schramm, Head of BMW Motorrad, describing the cornerstones of BMW Motorrad Welt Berlin.

Interactive presentations and glimpses behind the scenes. The interactive presentation of current BMW Motorrad vehicles is one of the central components of BMW Motorrad Welt Berlin. Special exhibitions – on the subject of customizing, for example – as well as selected highlights from the BMW Motorrad Gear & Garment Collection and Original BMW Motorrad Accessories round off the experience at BMW Motorrad Welt Berlin.

Thrilling live broadcasts or a meet & greet with prominent motorbike VIPs are just as much a permanent fixture at BMW Motorrad Welt as are art exhibitions, living room concerts, autograph sessions with well-known artists and the Motorcycle Cinema. BMW Motorrad Welt offers a variety of different activities for the general public, motorcycle fans and all BMW Group employees.

From Monday to Friday, visitors can also experience the fascination of state-of-the-art vehicle production at BMW Motorrad by going on tours of the plant. In addition, a guided tour of the plant grounds and through the production halls offers a rare opportunity to take a look behind the scenes of two-wheeler production and to experience the passion and team spirit of the Berlin plant at first hand.

BMW Motorrad Welt as an emotional platform for events, including rental options. With its spacious and emotional room concept, BMW Motorrad Welt in Berlin offers a wide range of possibilities for events of all kinds. Be it conferences, interactive workshops, meetings, closed room events or celebrations – BMW Motorrad Welt Berlin offers the right, extraordinary setting. In addition, the BMW Motorrad Welt facilities can be rented externally.

Next weekend, 30 September to 1 October, BMW Motorrad Welt will open its doors to the public. With a colourful entertainment programme, live music and gastronomic highlights, BMW Motorrad Welt invites everyone who is interested to be part of the grand opening weekend. Admission is free.

The regular BMW Motorrad Welt opening hours.

Mon – Sun: 10.00 am – 7.00 pm.

Public holidays: Closed.

You will find press material on BMW motorcycles and BMW Motorrad rider equipment in the BMW Group PressClub at www.press.bmwgroup.com.

Volkswagen

Volkswagen Group Releases Third Responsible Raw Materials Report

The latest Responsible Raw Materials Report from Volkswagen Group focuses on making adjustments to management systems and processes in compliance with the Supply Chain Due Diligence Act, which became effective on January 1, 2023. It also introduces the Responsible Supply Chain System (ReSC) and places emphasis on the newly implemented Human Rights Focus System (HRFS). The HRFS is designed to identify high-risk areas related to human rights violations and environmental issues, allowing for swift and appropriate action. Additionally, Dr. Kerstin Waltenberg has been appointed as the Human Rights Officer to monitor compliance with human rights due diligence.

“The Responsible Raw Materials Report not only showcases our progress in terms of transparency and risk management in the raw material supply chains, but also highlights the challenges we face. We go above and beyond our legal obligations,” says Dirk Große-Loheide, Member of the Brand Board of Management of Volkswagen responsible for Procurement and member of the Extended Executive Committee. “We take the procurement of raw materials sustainably very seriously and continuously collaborate with indirect suppliers in upstream supply chains, which pose the greatest challenge. Our Raw Material Management System plays a crucial role in this, implementing specific measures to identify and mitigate risks in these supply chains.” Dirk Große-Loheide adds, “With the Responsible Raw Materials Report, the Volkswagen Group, together with its brands Audi, Porsche, Scania, and MAN, documents our efforts and demonstrates that sustainable procurement is achievable. This report may also serve as an inspiration to others.”

In 2022, a major focus was on maintaining close cooperation with battery suppliers and their suppliers, from the mining stage to the production of battery cells. The aim was to increase transparency in complex supply chains and conduct audits to ensure responsible sourcing of raw materials. With the establishment of the new battery company PowerCo SE and the first battery cell factory at the Salzgitter site, Volkswagen engaged in deeper dialogue with relevant stakeholders to address human rights and environmental risks, and advocate for the certification of specific mines.

As a significant step in this direction, Volkswagen joined the “Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA)” in March 2022. The company has committed to gradually implementing the IRMA standards in its battery supply chains. IRMA is a coalition of NGOs, unions, affected local communities, investors, mine operators, and raw material customers, all working towards improving conditions in industrial mining.

Furthermore, Volkswagen’s involvement in sustainable supply chains has been expanded through its membership in the Leather Working Group (LWG), an initiative for the responsible procurement of leather, and the election of MAN Bus & Truck to the advisory council of The Copper Mark.

Since 2021, Volkswagen Group has been the first automotive company to publicly and voluntarily report on its Group-wide efforts to mitigate human rights and environmental risks in high-risk supply chains. The report follows the “Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Business Conduct” from the OECD, which outlines five steps for responsible due diligence, and complies with the requirements of the “OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas.”

The report provides detailed information on Volkswagen’s methodology and activities regarding the Raw Material Management System for responsible sourcing of raw materials. It covers 16 high-risk raw materials, including lithium and cobalt used in batteries.

Since 2019, all relevant direct business partners of the Volkswagen Group are subject to mandatory sustainability ranking, which assesses environmental and social standards in addition to criteria such as cost and quality. Since 2020, the group has required full disclosure of the supply chain down to the mining stage for all new contracts related to battery raw materials.

Motorsport

Gernot Dollner Becomes New Audi CEO, Replaces Markus Duesmann

Gernot Döllner is taking over as the Chairman of the Board of Management at Audi, replacing Markus Duesmann. The transition will occur on September 1. After leading Audi since April 2020, Duesmann will be departing the automaker.

Döllner expressed his honor and excitement about his new position, stating that Audi is an exceptional company with a rich history. He looks forward to working with the entire Audi team to shape the company’s future.

Since joining the Volkswagen Group in 1993, Döllner has steadily climbed the ranks. His journey began as a systems analyst for VW. In 1998, he moved to Porsche, where he led the Vehicle Concepts and Package department from 2001 to 2010. During this time, he also served as the project manager for developing the Porsche 918 Spyder. From 2011 to 2018, Döllner was in charge of the Panamera series before becoming the head of the Product and Concept department.

In 2021, Döllner returned to the Volkswagen brand, holding leadership positions in Group Strategy, Group Strategy Product, and the General Secretariat. He reported directly to VW Group’s then-CEO Herbert Diess.

Recently, Volkswagen Group CEO Oliver Blume criticized Audi during a presentation, acknowledging severe software problems that caused delays in launching electric products. Blume also mentioned that Audi’s products are not competitive enough in the Chinese market, with sales down by 16% in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022.

These software issues have also led to delays in several premium EVs. For instance, Audi had to postpone the introduction of its Audi-branded EV until 2027, initially planned for 2024. Bentley faced a similar delay, pushing its version to around 2030 instead of 2025.

Despite these challenges, Audi is gearing up to launch a range of A6 E-Tron EVs in the near future, with the first model expected to debut before the end of the year. Additionally, the Q6 E-Tron is also in the pipeline.

FiatUk

NEW MANAGEMENT TEAM ANNOUNCED TEAM ANNOUNCED FOR ABARTH, FIAT AND FIAT PROFESSIONAL

18 January 2023: Fiat has announced changes to its UK management team, with Damien Dally being appointed Managing Director for the UK operations of Abarth, Fiat and Fiat Professional, with immediate effect. He will join Marketing Director Giuseppe Cava and Sales Director Iain Brown on the management team. 

 

Dally has worked for FCA – and subsequently Stellantis – for 21 years and has a wide breadth of knowledge and experience across all of the brands within the group. His tenure includes a stint in Italy as Head of Commercial Development – Jeep brand EMEA and Management of the Fiat Chrysler International Sales Operations.  He is renowned for his passion for driving results alongside his strong sales and marketing background gained both in the UK and Europe. Dally will report to Paul Willcox, Senior Vice President and Group Managing Director, Stellantis UK. 

 

Cava joined the group in June 2018 covering several roles in the Product Marketing team and leading the division as Head of Product, before moving to the Marketing Director role for Fiat and Abarth in February 2022 where he remains.  Cava holds a double master’s degree in management from two leading universities in Germany and Italy as well as a Masters in Global Marketing & Made in Italy. Cava will report into Damien Dally, Managing Director. 

 

Sales Director Brown has an abundance of sales and automotive experience, having first joined Fiat as Zone Sales Manager in 2008. During his tenure, he has held various roles with the Stellantis brands, including Regional Sales Manager and National Sales Operation Manager. In his latter role, from 2019, Brown was Head of Customer Experience and Quality for Abarth, Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Fiat Professional and Jeep. 

 

Richard Chamberlain continues his role as Director of Commercial Vehicles for Stellantis UK.

 

On his appointment, Dally, said: “This is a huge honour for me to take over these iconic brands with incredible pasts, but equally as exciting futures. In the all-electric Fiat 500 we truly have an electric car that is widely lauded by media and consumers alike. In addition, the Abarth 500e has just been revealed and will be on sale later in the year while e-Ducato and e-Scudo offer a diverse portfolio for van drivers. It really couldn’t be a more exciting time to be working on these brands.”

 

Senior Vice President and Group Managing Director, Stellantis UK , Paul Willcox said: “I am delighted to congratulate Damien on his new appointment as Managing Director for the UK operations of Abarth, Fiat and Fiat Professional. His 21 years’ experience within the business and deep understanding of the individual brands will help guide the business towards its successful emission free future.” 

 

For further information, please contact Kate Oyler, Head of PR, Abarth, Fiat and Fiat Professional, kate.oyler@stellantis.com or 07796 447124.