The board of management at BMW transitioned under the leadership of Norbert Reithofer, who took control on 1 September 2006. Operating from Germany, he navigated the firm through the 2008 financial crisis by adjusting production schedules, ultimately guiding the organization to record profitability through the expansion of luxury vehicle and SUV sales within the Chinese market.
Academic Foundation
Born in Penzberg in 1956, Reithofer pursued mechanical engineering at the Munich University of Applied Sciences after completing his Fachabitur. He continued his studies in Engineering and Business Administration at the Technical University of Munich. Upon graduation, he served as a research assistant at the Institute for Machine Tools and Business Administration under Joachim Milberg, completing his doctorate under the same mentorship.
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Reithofer joined BMW in 1987 as the head of maintenance planning. His career progression included managing the Body in White Production Division from 1991 to 1994, followed by a tenure as Technical Director of BMW South Africa. From 1997 to 2000, he acted as president of the BMW Manufacturing Corporation based in Spartanburg, South Carolina. He joined the BMW Board of Management in March 2000, focusing on production oversight, where he worked with Burkhard Goeschel to accelerate the production cycle of the E90 3 Series.
Executive Leadership and Oversight
Following his tenure as CEO, Reithofer transitioned to the role of chairman of the supervisory board in 2015, a position he held until 2025. His tenure involved balancing corporate governance challenges with his contributions to various external boards, including Allianz, Henkel, and Siemens. During his time on the supervisory board in 2023, he received annual compensation of 610,000 euros, marking him as the highest-paid member of any German company's supervisory board.
External Affiliations and Recognition
Reithofer maintains active involvement in non-profit and advisory capacities, participating in the Senate of the Max Planck Society and the Board of Trustees for the Eberhard von Kuenheim Foundation. His professional contributions have been acknowledged with several state honors, including the Great Golden Medal of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria, the Bavarian Order of Merit, and the rank of Knight of the Legion of Honour.
Fast facts
- Born: 1956, Penzberg
- Citizenship: Germany
- Education: Technical University of Munich; Munich University of Applied Sciences
- CEO of BMW: 2006–2015
- Chairman of the supervisory board: 2015–2025
- 2023 Compensation: 610,000 euros
- Awards: Knight of the Legion of Honour
Questions readers ask
What was Reithofer's role at BMW during the 2008 financial crisis?
He served as chairman of the board and CEO, implementing production cuts that helped the company avoid losses experienced by competitors.
Which corporate boards has Reithofer served on?
Achievements
- Knight of the Legion of Honour
- Bavarian Order of Merit
- Great Golden Medal of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria
- Educated at Munich University of Applied Sciences and Technical University of Munich
