LiveWire, the electric motorbike brand of Harley-Davidson, is set to witness a leadership change as Karim Donnez takes on the role of the new CEO, effective from June 12, 2023. Donnez will replace Jochen Zeitz in this position, although Zeitz will continue to serve as the Chairman of the LiveWire Group.
Donnez brings a wealth of experience to LiveWire, having previously worked at Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP), Rio Tinto, and Accenture. With a proven track record in driving transformational growth through strategic development and implementation, Donnez is expected to lead LiveWire as an entrepreneurial business leader, as stated by Jochen Zeitz, who previously held the roles of chairman and CEO simultaneously.
Commenting on the leadership change, Zeitz expressed his excitement about Donnez taking over as LiveWire’s new CEO after an extensive global search process. Zeitz, who successfully established LiveWire as a brand and oversaw the company’s listing on the NYSE, stated, “I’m excited to pass the baton to Karim and to welcome him as LiveWire’s new CEO.”
Originally, LiveWire referred to the model name of Harley-Davidson’s first electric motorbike. However, it later evolved to become the name of the entire electric sub-brand. The Harley-Davidson LiveWire, initially unveiled for the US market in 2019, was subsequently renamed LiveWire One.
Expanding its reach, Harley-Davidson recently introduced its LiveWire electric motorbike brand in Europe. Since mid-March, the LiveWire One has been available for reservation in Germany, France, the Netherlands, and the UK. Deliveries of the electric motorbike began in April, marking the brand’s growing presence in the European market.
