The chief executive officer position at BMW transitioned to Oliver Zipse on 16 August 2019, following the departure of Harald Krüger. Krüger, who declined a contract renewal in 2020, concluded his tenure after navigating the automaker through periods of intensified competition in the global luxury market and internal strategic debates regarding electric vehicle development.
Academic Foundation
Born in 1965 in Freiburg im Breisgau, Krüger spent his formative years in Braunschweig. He attended the Hoffmann-von-Fallersleben-Schule, graduating in 1984. He subsequently pursued mechanical engineering, completing his undergraduate studies at the TU Braunschweig and his main studies at RWTH Aachen University. He earned a Diploma of Engineering in 1991. Early in his professional life, he served as a research assistant at the German Aerospace Center, focusing on flight systems between 1991 and 1992.
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Krüger joined BMW in 1992, initially working in technical planning and production. His early roles included time at the Hams Hall plant and positions within the Research and Innovation Center. By 2008, he reached the board of management, overseeing Human Resources. He later assumed responsibility for brands including MINI, Motorrad, and Rolls-Royce before taking charge of the production division in 2013. On 13 May 2015, he succeeded Norbert Reithofer as the company's chief executive officer.
Leadership Challenges
His tenure as CEO included a high-profile incident on 15 September 2015, when he collapsed during a news conference in Frankfurt. Krüger’s final years were marked by discussions regarding the BMW i series and shifts in market leadership within the automotive sector.
Post-CEO Activity
Since 2020, Krüger has maintained a portfolio of advisory and supervisory roles. He serves as an advisor to the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and sits on the advisory boards of Salesforce, Evolutionizer, and Spencer Stuart. His supervisory commitments include positions at Lufthansa and Deutsche Telekom. He also contributes to institutional boards such as the Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management and the Technical University of Munich.
Fast facts
- Born: 1965, Freiburg im Breisgau
- Education: Diploma of Engineering
- BMW CEO term: 2015-2019
- Early employer: German Aerospace Center
- Professional role: Businessperson and manager
- Citizenship: Germany
Questions readers ask
What is Harald Krüger's current professional focus?
Since 2020, he has been an advisor to the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and holds multiple supervisory and advisory roles at companies including Lufthansa, Deutsche Telekom, and Salesforce.
Why did Harald Krüger leave BMW?
He chose not to seek an extension of his contract, which was set to expire in April 2020. He was succeeded by Oliver Zipse in August 2019.
Achievements
- Affiliated with BMW and German Aerospace Center
- Educated at TU Braunschweig and Hoffmann-von-Fallersleben-Schule
