2018
BMW New President Appointment
Press Release | 2018.03.05

BMW Group names Mr. Christian Wiedmann as new President of BMW Group Thailand

Bangkok. BMW Group has announced the appointment of Mr. Christian Wiedmann as President of BMW Group Thailand, effective 1st April 2018. Mr. Wiedmann succeeds Mr. Stefan Teuchert, who is now set to take up a new position as CEO of BMW Group Russia.

 

A 17-year veteran of the BMW Group, Mr. Christian Wiedmann previously served as Managing Director and CEO at BMW Group Financial Services Australia in 2016 after having spent several years in South Korea to oversee the overall financial operations as CEO of BMW Financial Services Korea. In his new position, Mr. Wiedmann’s responsibilities will cover the management of all BMW Group Thailand business divisions – including BMW, MINI, and BMW Motorrad.

 

Mr. Wiedmann joined the BMW Group in 2001 and has since served various functions in BMW Group in many regions across the globe – including Germany, Japan, Austria, Greece, South Korea and Australia. His previous roles have taken him to Thailand on two occasions –in 2003 for one year and again in 2011 for three years – to supervise financial operations at BMW Financial Services Thailand.

 

On this occasion, Ms. Hildegard Wortmann – formerly Head of BMW brand prior to her appointment as Senior Vice President Region Asia, Pacific in January 2018 – said, “I am delighted to give Mr. Wiedmann a warm welcome as the new President of BMW Group Thailand. His many years of management experience in the BMW Group, together with his profound understanding of Thai culture, will definitely drive BMW Group Thailand towards further achievements and outstanding growth in Thailand’s premium car market – which has long been one of our key strategic markets in this region.”

 

“Our regional reorganization efforts have led to the reallocation of responsibilities from Munich to Singapore as our base for the entire Asia Pacific region – excluding China. This allows us to further increase focus on markets in this region and emphasize our commitment to customers and dealers in these strategic markets – particularly in Thailand, where we continue to demonstrate a solid foundation through our people, dealer network, and customer base with proven growth records.”

 

“I’d like to express our appreciation to Mr. Teuchert for his dedication and contribution to BMW Group Thailand, which culminated in the most successful 12-month period in the company’s history with record-high sales and BMW Thailand in particular posting the highest growth rate across BMW’s global network. I have no doubt that Mr. Teuchert will go on to accomplish great things in his new role at BMW Group Russia,” concluded Ms. Wortmann.

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The BMW Group

 

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. The BMW Group production network comprises 31 production and assembly facilities in 14 countries; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

 

In 2017, the BMW Group sold over 2,463,500 passenger vehicles and more than 164,000 motorcycles worldwide. As of 31 December 2016, the BMW Group had a workforce of 124,729 employees.

 

The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain, comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy.

 

BMW Group Thailand

 

BMW Group Thailand, a subsidiary of BMW AG, Germany, was established on the 3rd October 1998. The three entities of BMW Group Thailand include BMW (Thailand) Co., Ltd. with responsibility for wholesales & marketing of BMW Group products, BMW Manufacturing (Thailand) Co., Ltd. with responsibility for BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad local production, and BMW Leasing (Thailand) Co., Ltd. with responsibility for financial services offerings to both wholesale and retail customers.

 

In 2017, BMW Group Thailand achieved a historic sales record with 11,030 BMW and MINI vehicles delivered to customers from January to December 2017, an increase of 39% year-on-year and the first-ever 5-digit sales figure in the company’s history. BMW Motorrad also had the best-ever record with 2,001 motorcycle deliveries, 10% higher than the same period last year. These milestones have made 2017 the most successful 12-month period for all of BMW Group Thailand’s three business units – with BMW Thailand in particular posting the highest growth rate across BMW Group’s global network at 43%.

 

On the production side, the BMW Group Manufacturing Thailand plant was founded on BMW Group’s strong belief in the growth potential of Asian markets and Thailand in particular with its unique location, strong manufacturing base, and ready supply of skilled automotive labor, being an automotive hub for ASEAN.

 

On-going investment has been put into the expansion of plant Rayong in terms of assembling processes, aiming to meet growing customer demand. In addition, with approximately 4 billion Thai Baht representing the amount of annual purchasing in Thailand, the BMW Global Purchasing office has been established in Thailand. This is to source various components from local suppliers in Thailand and the broader ASEAN region, in order to supply the entire BMW production network of 31 production and assembly facilities, located in 14 countries worldwide.

 

As of 2017, BMW Group Manufacturing Thailand produces the following 17 models: BMW 1 Series, BMW 3 Series, BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo, BMW 5 Series, BMW 7 Series, BMW X1, BMW X3, BMW X4 and BMW X5. For BMW Motorrad the BMW F 800 R, BMW F 800 GS, BMW F 700 GS, BMW R 1200 GS, BMW R 1200 GS Adventure, BMW S 1000 R, BMW S 1000 RR and BMW S 1000 XR are also locally assembled at the plant. In addition, BMW Group Manufacturing Thailand now assembles four BMW plug-in hybrid models; BMW 330e, BMW 530e, BMW X5 xDrive40e and BMW 740Le.

 

Starting from May 2016, BMW Group Manufacturing Thailand’s assembly line capability has been expanded for the purpose of exporting the BMW X3 and BMW X5 to China as well.

 

For further information, please contact:
BMW Group Thailand
1-800-269-269
www.bmw.co.th
www.mini.co.th
www.bmw-motorrad.co.th

 

Media Contacts:
Carl Byoir & Associates
Suthatip Boonsaeng (08-7685-1695 or0-2627-3501 ext.102)
Thornthawat Thongnab (08-3225-4567 or 0-2627-3501 ext.206)
Pichanan Toonkamthornchai (08-5157-7557 or 0-2627-3501 ext.101)
sboonsaeng@carlbyoir.com, tthongnab@carlbyoir.com, ptoonkamthornchai@carlbyoir.com

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