Earlier this week, BMW Group Canada announced the appointment of Eduardo Villaverde to the position of president and CEO, effective September 1, 2011. Villaverde replaces Manfred Braunl who has left the BMW Group. Braunl was just named to the post in January 2011. Details weren’t disclose about where Braunl was going.
Manfred Braunl, former BMW boss leaves post after 6 months
Villaverde joins BMW’s Canadian subsidiary from BMW Group Spain, where he has been president and CEO since August, 2008.
He began his career with the BMW Group in 1995, when he joined BMW de Latinoamérica S.A. as Director and CFO. In 1999, Villaverde moved to BMW do Brasil Ltda., where he was responsible for both the BMW and Land Rover brands as president and CEO. He then headed BMW Group Argentina and BMW Group Central and South America respectively before joining BMW Group Spain in 2008.
“Eduardo brings with him over two decades of leadership experience,” said Jim O’Donnell, President of BMW of North America, LLC. “We look forward to seeing him apply these leadership skills in the Canadian market as we work to increase our sales volumes and launch a new global sub-brand.”
BMW Group Canada, based in Richmond Hill, Ontario, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BMW AG and is responsible for the distribution of BMW luxury performance automobiles, Sports Activity Vehicles, Motorcycles, and MINI. BMW Group Financial Services Canada is a division of BMW Group Canada and offers retail financing and leasing programs and protection products on new and pre-owned BMW and MINI automobiles, as well as retail financing for new and pre-owned BMW Motorcycles. A total network of 43 BMW automobile retail centres, 20 BMW motorcycle retailers, and 28 MINI retailers represents the BMW Group across the country.
