The Supervisory Board of BMW AG has officially announced the extension of Oliver Zipse’s contract as Chairman of the Board of Management until 2026, confirming previously leaked rumors about his continued leadership. Zipse, who has been at the helm of BMW since August 2019, will continue to steer the company through a period of profound transformation and global crises.
Under Zipse’s leadership, BMW has significantly expanded its electric vehicle (EV) portfolio, solidifying its position in the competitive EV market. Notably, the development of the New Class, the upcoming model generation, is already in progress, with production scheduled to commence in 2025.
Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of BMW AG, praised Zipse’s accomplishments, stating, “Oliver Zipse has very successfully steered the company in recent years through an extremely volatile environment. In a phase of global crises and profound transformation, the BMW Group has not only achieved reliably robust results under his leadership, but has also sustainably strengthened its leading position in global competition. With the Neue Klasse, the BMW Group is well on track to further expand this position.”
In an exception to its internal policy, which sets an age limit of 60 years for board members, the Supervisory Board granted Zipse a two-year contract extension. Zipse, who will turn 60 on February 7, 2024, will serve until the summer of 2026, making him 62 years old at the end of his contract.
Additionally, during the same meeting, the Supervisory Board appointed Jochen Goller to the Board of Management of BMW AG. Goller will assume the role of head of Customer, Brands, and Sales on November 1, 2023, succeeding Pieter Nota, who has been a board member for sales since 2018. Nota, although not an automotive industry veteran, is recognized for his contributions to BMW, particularly in the sales of electric vehicles and the digitalization of the customer interface.
While BMW did not provide specific reasons for Nota’s departure, Reithofer expressed gratitude, stating, “the Supervisory Board would like to thank Pieter Nota for his great commitment and, in particular, for the important impulses he has brought to the sales organization with his extensive experience outside the automotive industry.”
The appointment of Jochen Goller suggests a strategic shift towards a more internationally experienced sales manager with expertise in the vital Chinese market. However, BMW has not disclosed the duration of Goller’s contract, leaving room for further developments in the company’s leadership.
