German luxury carmaker BMW Group has announced the appointment of Christian Wiedmann as president of BMW Group Thailand, effective from April 1.
Mr Wiedmann succeeds Stefan Teuchert, who is set become chief executive of BMW Group Russia.
In his new position, Mr Wiedmann's responsibilities will cover management of all the group's local business divisions, including BMW, Mini and BMW Motorrad.
A 17-year veteran of BMW Group, Mr Wiedmann previously served as managing director and chief executive at BMW Group Financial Services Australia. He also spent several years as chief executive of BMW Financial Services Korea.
His previous roles have taken him to Thailand on two occasions -- in 2003 for one year and again in 2011 for three years -- to supervise financial operations at BMW Financial Services Thailand.
His work has also taken him to Germany, Japan, Austria, Greece and Australia.
Hildegard Wortmann, senior vice-president for Asia and Pacific, said Mr Wiedmann has many years of management experience at BMW Group.
With Mr Wiedmann's profound understanding of Thai culture, he is expected to drive BMW Group Thailand towards further achievements and outstanding growth in the country's premium car market, Ms Wortmann said.
"Thailand has long been one of our key strategic markets in this region," she said. "BMW continues to demonstrate a solid foundation through our people, dealer network and customer base, with proven growth records."
BMW Group Thailand achieved a historic sales record with 11,030 BMW and Mini vehicles delivered to customers in 2017, an increase of 39% year-on-year and the first-ever five-digit sales figure in the company's history.
BMW Motorrad also posted a record with 2,001 motorcycle deliveries, 10% higher than in the previous year.
In 2017, BMW Thailand posted the highest growth rate across the parent firm's global network at 43%.
The BMW Group Manufacturing Thailand plant was founded on a strong belief in the growth potential of the regional market. As of 2017, the firm's Rayong plant produced 17 models.
