BMW Americas Chief Ludwig Willisch Retires

Ludwig Willisch, who heads BMW AG’s Americas operations, is retiring following a 21-year career with the carmaker.

Bernhard Kuhnt, who took over Willisch’s responsibilities for BMW North America earlier this year, will replace him as CEO of BMW Group Region Americas. The moves are effective August 1.

Willisch (pictured), has been in his current position since 2011. He joined BMW in 1996 to lead a company-owned dealership in Dusseldorf. The 61-year-old also oversaw several BMW sales subsidiaries and led the company’s M performance unit for two years. He previously worked at Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche dealerships.

During his tenure as CEO of BMW Americas, the carmaker became the top-selling luxury brand in the U.S. for the first time in its history, holding the crown in 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2015. BMW’s U.S. sales fell 10% last year to 313,200 vehicles, and were down another 3% through the first half of 2017.

Willisch’s retirement follows last week’s announcement that Ian Robertson, who heads BMW’s global sales, will hand that job over to Pieter Nota on Jan. 1. Robertson will continue to serve on BMW’s management board until next summer, when he will retire from the company altogether.