Since 2012, Ludwig Willisch has been the President and CEO of BMW of North America. Last week, Herr Willisch, 60, announced that his long run in that position would come to an end on March 1, 2017, when Bernhard Kuhnt will become BMW NA's new CEO.
The addition of Bernhard Kuhnt, 49, to the North American management team will free up Willisch to concentrate solely on the other position he has been holding down for the last five years about we didn't hear so much: Head of BMW Group Region Americas. As such Willisch will continue to have oversight of BMW operations in North, Central, and South America. Kuhnt, therefore, will report to Willisch.
In Kuhnt's most recent position within BMW, he has been responsible for BMW Group importer markets, which meant he oversaw sales in more than 80 countries. This will not be his first extended stay in the U.S., having previously spent nine years here in automotive sales management.
In another change, Petter Witt, BMW NA's vice president of operations, announced he was leaving the company at the end of February. Witt will be taking a position with Holman Automotive, a dealer group with locations in Pennsylvania, Florida, and New Jersey and which sells BMWs and Minis, among many other brands.
In a statement on the management changes at BMW NA, Willisch said, “I am delighted to welcome Bernhard Kuhnt to our Americas team. Bernhard brings many years of experience in the global automotive industry to his new role here in the United States." Willisch continued, "At the same time, we are sorry to say goodbye to Petter Witt, but wish him the greatest success in his new business endeavor.”
Kuhnt will assume the position as head of BMW NA at a time when the company is trying to recover from a down market in luxury cars in 2016. BMW sales in the U.S. are up a tick in January and ahead of Lexus, but still behind last year's leader, Mercedes-Benz. One thing that Kuhnt should have going for him is this month's arrival in BMW dealer showrooms of the all-new BMW 5 Series.
We would like to note that Ludwig Willisch has been a friend to the BMW Car Club of America and the BMW CCA Foundation. He is not just a car company executive; he is an enthusiast. Watching him personally driving classic BMW race cars at Laguna Seca was ample proof of his sincerity. We wish him well and welcome his replacement, Bernhard Kuhnt.—Scott Blazey
[Photos courtesy of BMW AG.]
