MINI to get new chief from Aug 1

MUNICH: MINI is set to get a new CEO from Aug 1.

BMW veteran Stefan Richmann will succeed Stefanie Wurst, who has held this position since Feb 1, 2022.

Wurst will remain in the BMW Group and it's believed her new role would be announced later. No reason was given for her shock exit from MINI after just two years.

Richmann began his career at the BMW Group in 1997. He is currently the head of the corporate strategy division of BMW USA, a post he has held since April 2022.

In recent years, Wurst had focused the British premium brand MINI on new markets and target groups, and in particular on electric mobility and digitalisation.

She has also developed the international MINI sales organisation into a sustainable and customer-focused sales model and has played a decisive role in the phased introduction of MINI direct sales in China and Europe.

With the rollout of the new MINI family, the brand is currently at a high point in its 65-year history. Three models - the MINI Cooper, MINI Aceman and MINI Countryman - embody the digitalisation of products and services, electrification of the brand and MINI’s signature go-kart feeling. A new 5-door MINI hatchback would arrive later to complete the line-up.