Click to enlarge.
The BMW Group* (Bayerische Motoren Werke AG ADR BMWYY) said today that Dr. Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of BMW AG since 2015, and closely associated with the company for nearly four decades, is stepping down from his position, effective immediately.
“After 38 years, it is time for me to say goodbye to the BMW Group. It has been an honor to be a part of this exceptional company. I would like to thank all our associates, shareholders and stakeholders for your trust and support,” said Reithofer. “Together, we have overcome tremendous challenges and celebrated unparalleled successes. I firmly believe that the BMW Group will continue to follow its own unique BMW path.”
Dr. Reithofer held various managerial positions at the company since 1 October 1987, starting out as head of Maintenance Planning. From March 2000, he served as a member of the Board of Management, responsible for the Production division. In September 2006, Reithofer was appointed Chairman of the Board of Management, taking over from Helmut Panke. In May 2015, he succeeded Prof. Joachim Milberg as Chairman of the Supervisory Board.
Reithofer launched the BMW i electromobility brand, accelerated digitalization and played a major role in driving international expansion, particularly in the growth market of China. He is said to have established sustainability and resource efficiency as elements of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy early on.
Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, said, “Dr. Reithofer is a major architect of the BMW Group’s success today. During his time as Chairman of the Board of Management, he elevated all the company’s relevant key figures to a new level. As Chairman of the Supervisory Board, he always served as a valuable source of momentum and guidance, supporting the work of the Board of Management in a constructive, critical and motivating way. His successful efforts will continue to shape the course of the company well beyond the end of his tenure.”
As Reithofer’s successor, the Supervisory Board proposed Dr. Nicolas Peter for election to the Supervisory Board of BMW AG at the Annual General Meeting and, subject to his election, supported the proposal to appoint him as Chairman of the Supervisory Board following the Annual General Meeting 2025. At a meeting of the Supervisory Board held following the Annual General Meeting of BMW AG, Dr. Nicolas Peter was elected its chairman.
Dr. Nicolas Peter served as the BMW AG Board of Management member responsible for the Finance division from January 2017 to May 2023. He has extensive experience in the automotive industry, combined with many years in a wide range of management positions at the BMW Group.
Dr. Peter has not held any position within BMW AG since 11 May 2023 and has completed the two-year cooling-off period required by the German Corporate Governance Code.
*AutoInformed on
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Dr. Norbert Reithofer, Supervisory Board Chair of BMW Retires
Click to enlarge.
The BMW Group* (Bayerische Motoren Werke AG ADR BMWYY) said today that Dr. Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of BMW AG since 2015, and closely associated with the company for nearly four decades, is stepping down from his position, effective immediately.
“After 38 years, it is time for me to say goodbye to the BMW Group. It has been an honor to be a part of this exceptional company. I would like to thank all our associates, shareholders and stakeholders for your trust and support,” said Reithofer. “Together, we have overcome tremendous challenges and celebrated unparalleled successes. I firmly believe that the BMW Group will continue to follow its own unique BMW path.”
Dr. Reithofer held various managerial positions at the company since 1 October 1987, starting out as head of Maintenance Planning. From March 2000, he served as a member of the Board of Management, responsible for the Production division. In September 2006, Reithofer was appointed Chairman of the Board of Management, taking over from Helmut Panke. In May 2015, he succeeded Prof. Joachim Milberg as Chairman of the Supervisory Board.
Reithofer launched the BMW i electromobility brand, accelerated digitalization and played a major role in driving international expansion, particularly in the growth market of China. He is said to have established sustainability and resource efficiency as elements of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy early on.
Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, said, “Dr. Reithofer is a major architect of the BMW Group’s success today. During his time as Chairman of the Board of Management, he elevated all the company’s relevant key figures to a new level. As Chairman of the Supervisory Board, he always served as a valuable source of momentum and guidance, supporting the work of the Board of Management in a constructive, critical and motivating way. His successful efforts will continue to shape the course of the company well beyond the end of his tenure.”
As Reithofer’s successor, the Supervisory Board proposed Dr. Nicolas Peter for election to the Supervisory Board of BMW AG at the Annual General Meeting and, subject to his election, supported the proposal to appoint him as Chairman of the Supervisory Board following the Annual General Meeting 2025. At a meeting of the Supervisory Board held following the Annual General Meeting of BMW AG, Dr. Nicolas Peter was elected its chairman.
Dr. Nicolas Peter served as the BMW AG Board of Management member responsible for the Finance division from January 2017 to May 2023. He has extensive experience in the automotive industry, combined with many years in a wide range of management positions at the BMW Group.
Dr. Peter has not held any position within BMW AG since 11 May 2023 and has completed the two-year cooling-off period required by the German Corporate Governance Code.
*AutoInformed on
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.