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BMW appoints Harald Krueger as chairman and shakes up board to stay ahead of rivals
German car manufacturer BMW made several surprise changes to its board yesterday, appointing Harald Krueger as chairman, effective from the end of a general meeting on 13 May 2015.
Krueger, 49, joined BMW in 1992, and has been a member of the board since 2008. He has been responsible for production at the group since April 2013.
Meanwhile, current chairman Dr Norbert Reithofer will be put forward for election to the supervisory board at the general meeting in May, with current supervisory board chairman Joachim Milberg stepping down to take on a leading role supporting BMW’s worldwide corporate social responsibility and charitable activities.
The company described the reshuffle as a “generational change”.
In addition, Klaus Froehlich, 54, who has been at BMW since 1987, has joined the board, taking on responsibility for development. He replaces Dr Herbert Diess, who has left the company to take up a role at Volkswagen.
Milberg said: “The automotive industry is undergoing a fundamental shift. Those who want to play an active role in shaping tomorrow’s mobility need constantly to find viable solutions to future challenges.
“The BMW Group plans to maintain its leading role in the premium segment. To achieve this, we have to hand over responsibility to the next generation at an appropriate time.”