Former BMW Exec Killed in Motorcycle Crash

European auto executive Karl-Heinz Kalbfell died on Saturday during practice for a classic motorcycle race at Brands Hatch, England.

Kalbfell worked for 27 years at BMW AG, including stints as head of motorsport activities and the brand's M performance unit, between 1977 and 2004. He later joined Fiat Group as chief operating officer for Alfa Romeo and later CEO of Maserati.

Since 2006 Kalbell had headed his own consulting company for such clients as GAZ, Lotus and Magna International. He was 63.