BMW USA CEO Jim O’Donnell to be replaced by Ludwig Willisch

By Horatiu Boeriu. Read Bio
July 23rd, 2011 | Featured Posts, News | 12 comments

BMW executive Ludwig Willisch, who has led the company’s sales operations in Europe and Japan, will take over as CEO of BMW of North America on Oct. 1. The move comes with no surprises to us. At the April’s New York Auto Show, we learned through unofficial sources that Jim O’Donnell will retire this year and the new management team will come from Germany.

The 54-year-old German will replace Jim O’Donnell, 61, who has held the job since July 2008. Willisch will arrive in the United States on Sept. 1 and work alongside O’Donnell during a one-month transition.

In the BMW community, Willisch is also known as former CEO of BMW M. He began his BMW career in 1996 as head of the sales office in Duesseldorf, Germany. Later in his career, he was responsible for sales subsidiaries around the world, most recently, the European sales outside of Germany.

BMW USA CEO Jim ODonnell to be replaced by Ludwig Willisch

O’Donnell leaves BMW in a moment when the company is reporting high-record sales. BMW is on track to outsell Lexus in the United States for the first time since 1997. Through June, BMW’s sales rose 13 percent to 113,705.

Stay tuned for an official press release in the upcoming weeks.

[Source: AutoNews ]

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    I love you BMW

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  • Tom811n

    Maybe Ludwig can clean up some of the unethical marketing done by certain BMW dealers   Jim certainly ignored this

  • Jsgodive

    BMW…The Ultimate Driving Machine or the Utlimate Repair Nightmare?!  In 2005, my fiance purchased my dream car…2002 X5 4.4.  I fell in love with the X5 in 2000 the moment I laid eyes on it!  Never thought I could afford such a luxurious auto.  At the time my fiance was signing the papers for my car, I began to cry!  Just never thought I would have this car!  My new X5 had about 33, 000 miles but the sales guy at the BMW dealership assured me these cars can run 300,000 + with minimum repairs / maintenance. 
    Six years later, my service file is 2 inches thick with repair costs that have exceeded $30,000!  Now, BACK in the shop, and has been for two months.  Evidentally, the head gasket is blown…the instrument cluster malfunctioned, not giving indication of a coolant leak, the car never started smoking as over heated, just shut down.  $2000. to replace the themostat, radiator, coolant resevior, and associated parts.  Then an oil inverter…more costs…Then overnight the instrument cluster to California from Florida, more costs…THEN to be informed the head gasket is blown and now to repair this we are looking close to an additional $4,000.00. Stopped by the shop this morning and white smoke is coming out of the exhaust like it’s a chimney! The mechanic suggested we consider the car totalled and sell it for “scraps” and pocket $2,000.!  Right here at Christmas and in the current state of our economy, not only can I not afford these repairs, there is no way I can afford a new automobile. I have $70,000. tied into this machine and have been told it’s value it’s value is $2000.00–WHAT? 
    So while watching television and seeing the BMW commercials, I can’t help but ask…Driving Machine or Repair Nightmare???

  • Katwarner

    Help I have 2007 328i it has stopped 4 times on the freeway in heavy traffic , I’ve had it towed in to the dealership twice. The service dept. have no answers for me. The computer shows that it’s ok,then 3 to 4 miles later the computer shows ared or yellow thermometer and then it slows to a real slow pace . I then let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes the computer shows that it’s ok i start down the road again . Please can someone help my local BMW dealership has no clue can someone please help!

  • Ken

    Have driven a BMW since 1985 and I love the car ….Until now due to “run flats” I will probably leave the BMW family.

  • Tom811n

    nope Willisch is no different I had to go to NY Attorney general to get my complaint answered BMW ignored me

  • Hamza Ejaz Malik

    How can I become one of Mechanical Engineers at BMW

  • C. Owens

    I have a 2011 x3 with electrical ghost in it local dealer is at wits end with it , bmw engineers are there nothing found, after numerious times in the shop same electical incidents and emails to bmw usa not even a response from them. Its not the dealers issue its bmw s . but no one can fix it this is the second bmw we have had. it is not near the x3 the 08 was.very disappointed with the willingness to repair or replace it. We just dont feel safe on the road trips with it anymore. Really unhappy customer.

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