BMW Group Canada President Hendrik von Kuenheim accepts position with Spanish subsidiary
July 20, 2004, Whitby, ON...BMW Group Canada announced today that Hendrik von
Kuenheim (45), President and CEO has accepted the position of President and CEO
of BMW Group Spain, effective September 1, 2004. Von Kuenheim, one of Canada's
longest serving automotive company chief executives leaves BMW Group Canada
after six years.
Mr. von Kuenheim joined BMW Group Canada as President and CEO in 1998, and
during his term BMW Group Canada has been one of the fastest growing
subsidiaries in the BMW Group world and the number one volume premium brand
company in Canada. Under von Kuenheim's leadership, sales of BMW vehicles in
Canada jumped from 7,701 in 1998 to a combined 17,868 BMW and MINI brand units
in 2003. In June 2004, BMW Group Canada retailed 2,445 vehicles representing
the company's best sales month ever in Canada.
An avid motorcyclist, Mr. von Kuenheim also oversaw the growth of BMW Motorrad
Canada sales from 494 motorcycles in 1998 to 1,141 BMW motorcycles sold in
Canada in 2003. 2002 saw a major milestone for BMW Motorrad Canada, as sales
broke the 1,000 volume mark for the first time, with 1,081 bikes sold.
"The decision to take on the new assignment was a difficult one as my family
and I consider Canada as our home," says Hendrik von Kuenheim. "I feel very
grateful for having the opportunity to experience this magnificent country and
am thankful for the many wonderful memories that I am able to take with me as I
embrace new opportunities, undertake new responsibilities, and face new
challenges."
BMW Group Canada's product portfolio has grown significantly under the
leadership of von Kuenheim. During his presidency, the BMW X5 and X3 Sports
Activity Vehicles were launched into the Canadian market in 1999 and 2004
respectively. In 2002, Mr. von Kuenheim oversaw the highly successful
introduction of the MINI brand into the Canadian automotive market. To date,
more than 6,000 MINIs are being driven on Canadian roads. In 2004, BMW Group
Canada also welcomed the new BMW 6 Series coupe and cabriolet into Canada. And
the existing BMW line-up of 3, 5 and 7 Series models continues to grow sales
volumes to unprecedented levels.
In addition to the product offensive, Mr. von Kuenheim has overseen significant
expansion resulting in the complete rebuilding of BMW Group Canada's retail
network facilities. BMW and MINI retailers in Canada have invested over $200
million in the BMW and MINI brands through the construction of new or
substantially renovated stores since 1998. Mr. von Kuenheim also spearheaded
the construction of BMW Toronto, Canada's most prominent retail facility that
was opened in the fall of 2003. This unprecedented investment by BMW and MINI
retailers is viewed by parent company BMW AG as the benchmark in subsidiary
retail networks worldwide.
As a result of his time in Canada the subsidiary has become BMW Group's 11th
largest volume subsidiary worldwide. BMW Group Canada is well on its way to
achieving his long term vision of 2% of the Canadian automotive market share.
The posting in Spain is von Kuenheim's ninth since he joined the company in
1985. BMW Group Spain, based in Madrid, is currently the seventh largest
market for BMW Group worldwide and competes in what is currently Europe's
fastest growing automotive market.
Mr. von Kuenheim's successor will be announced in the near future.
BMW Group Canada, based in Whitby, Ontario, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BMW
AG and is responsible for the distribution of BMW luxury performance
automobiles, Sports Activity Vehicles, Motorcycles, and MINI. BMW Group
Financial Services Canada is a division of BMW Group Canada and offers retail
financing and leasing programs on new and pre-owned BMW and MINI automobiles,
as well as retail financing for new and pre-owned BMW Motorcycles. A total
network of 36 BMW automobile retail centres, 18 BMW motorcycle retailers, and
19 MINI retailers represents the BMW Group across the country.
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