BMW of North America announces management team changes

BMW Group announced five changes in its senior management team in the US to become effective January 1, 2014.

Peter Miles will assume the new role of Vice-President Sales Channel Development and Customer Relations. This newly created function within the BMW Group
is of strategic importance as the role incorporates all customer facing touch points including Customer Satisfaction, Dealer Development, Customer Care and Training.

Since 2008, Peter has been Executive Vice-President, Operations, during which time he successfully steered sales operations through the financial crisis in the US with BMW achieving the number one position in new and used vehicles in the premium segment for the past two years.

J. Chris Koenders will assume the role of Executive Vice-President, Operations succeeding Peter Miles. Chris will be responsible for all BMW sales operations within the US Currently, Chris is President, BMW Group Netherlands, a position he has held since 2010.

Chris has more than 20 years of sales, marketing and innovation management expertise in the BMW Group. Under his leadership, BMW in the Netherlands achieved the number one position in the premium segment for the first time since 1983, and Mini sales grew by 30 per cent. In addition BMW Group and its dealers achieved the overall number one position in sales and service satisfaction in the Dutch automotive market.

Jim McDowell, Vice-President Mini of the Americas will retire as of December 31, 2013. Since 2005, Jim has been responsible for all aspects of Mini Marketing, Sales and Aftersales in the United States. Previously, McDowell was Vice-President - Marketing for BMW of North America, LLC, a position he held for twelve years.

David Duncan will assume the role of Vice-President, Mini of the Americas, succeeding Jim McDowell.  David is being promoted from his current role as Regional Vice-President, Western Region. David has over 15 years of diverse experience with the BMW Group spread across the key operational pillars of Sales, Marketing, Dealer Development and Aftersales. His well-rounded background spans the BMW, Mini and BMW Motorcycles brands in the field, region and headquarters in Woodcliff Lake.

Petter Witt will assume the role of Regional Vice-President, Western Region succeeding David Duncan. In his new role, Petter will be responsible for sales and service for both BMW and Mini in the Western Region. Petter is being promoted from his current role of Managing Director of BMW Sweden.

Petter has 13 years of automotive experience with the BMW Group spread across Sales, Marketing, Distribution and Training in the US, Germany and Sweden.

"We are intensifying our customer-driven focus and these changes will influence the entire organization to continue improving all phases of the customer journey from prospect to purchase and throughout the ownership life-cycle," said Ludwig Willisch, President and CEO, BMW of North America. "I especially want to thank Jim McDowell for his years of exemplary service to the BMW Group and all of us in the company send him into retirement with our warmest good wishes for the years ahead."

Posted in: BMW,BMW Group,David Duncan,Executive Vice-President,J. Chris Koenders,Jim McDowell,Ludwig Willisch,Luxury,Mini,New Appointment,North America,Peter Miles,Petter Witt,Vice-President