BMW Group Australia appoints new CEO

Vikram Pawah will be replaced at the top of BMW Group Australia on January 1, 2021.

Mr Pawah will take charge of BMW Group India next year and will be replaced by the current head of Mini Germany, Wolfgang Buechel, in the role locally.

Mr Buechel has been with BMW Group for 25 years, having worked in strategy, sales, marketing, and general management, and took the lead at Mini Germany in 2018.

“I am delighted to be appointed to this new role at a time of great challenge and progress, in particular within the realm of electro mobility,” Mr Buechel said.

“Consistent innovation coupled with impeccable customer service is a trademark of the BMW Group and a driving factor behind its ongoing success.  

“I see my appointment as an exciting opportunity to drive this forward and to contribute to BMW Group Australia’s continued growth.”

Mr Buechel’s predecessor, Vikram Pawah, has overseen BMW Group Australia since the middle of 2018.

BMW grew its new car sales incrementally in 2019, his first full year in charge. Although the brand is down compared to the same point in 2019, a 5.8 per cent drop in sales is ahead of the 18.8 per cent decline seen by the wider market.

It’s also a smaller drop in sales than luxury market leader Mercedes-Benz (-9.8 per cent) has seen this year.