Torsten Müller-Ötvös (49) will assume management of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Ltd., a subsidiary of BMW AG based in Goodwood, UK, at the end of March. Müller-Ötvös succeeds Tom Purves (61) as Chief Executive Officer. Purves, who has held this position since July 2008, will retire as of 31.03.2010.

Torsten Müller-Ötvös has been with the BMW Group for more than 20 years. During this time he held a number of management positions in the Sales and Marketing Division. He successfully re-launched the MINI brand and internationally re-established this quintessentially British marque as the first premium small car brand. In January 2004 he assumed responsibility for central Group marketing and brand management at BMW. Müller-Ötvös has been running BMW’s global product management since April 2008, as well as parts of its after-sales business.

Torsten Müller-Ötvös will continue to report to Ian Robertson, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Group sales and marketing and also Chairman of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Ltd. Ian Robertson: “Torsten Müller-Ötvös has many years of solid experience in the fields of brand and product management as well as marketing. He is the perfect candidate to lead Rolls-Royce Motor Cars into a period of expansion – having not only a successful track record as a manager, but also a feel for the unique attributes of a traditional brand.”

Ian Robertson also took the opportunity to thank Tom Purves for his extensive and fruitful commitment to the BMW Group: “Over the years, the outstanding work of Tom has contributed greatly to the success of the Group, particularly in the UK and the Americas. For this, the entire Board of Management of BMW AG expresses their sincere gratitude to Tom and wishes him continued success in his future endeavours.”

Tom Purves succeeded Ian Robertson as CEO of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Ltd. in July 2008. His previous posts included more than nine years as President of BMW North America, LLC and head of the sales region there, where he successfully managed BMW Group activities throughout North and South America. Under his tenure sales and market share more than doubled. He began his career in the automotive industry back in 1966 as an engineer at the former Rolls-Royce headquarters in Crewe, UK, before joining the BMW Group in 1985.

Hildegard Wortmann (43) will succeed Torsten Müller-Ötvös in the central Product Management and Aftersales functions.

[Source: BMW ]