BMW has announced that from March 1, 2008, Glasgow's Jim O'Donnell, the current Managing Director of BMW UK, will take up a new role as President and COO of BMW of North America LLC on April 1. He will be replaced in the UK by KlausKibsgaard. Kibsgaard (47), has been President of BMW Portugal since 2003 having joined BMW AG in 2002.

His new role is the latest in a long line of motor industry appointments for General Motors in Germany, France, Turkey and Denmark as well as a period of employment with General Electric Corporation. Scot O'Donnell takes over functional responsibility for US activities having established a great record of success at BMW UK during the past eight years. Under his leadership, sales of BMW cars have risen from 67,676 in 2000 to 121,575 in 2007, sales of Mini in the same period are up from zero (Mini started in 2001) to 47,661 while motorcycle sales are up from 2745 to 5251.

O'Donnell will join another ex-BMW UK Managing Director ­ and Scot ­ Tom Purves, who remains Chairman and CEO of BMW (US) Holding Corporation, Chairman of BMW NA Management Board and Regional Manager for the Americas. "I am looking forward to my new challenge in BMW's largest market," O'Donnell explained, "but I will miss my colleagues and, of course, the dealers who have helped to build our success in the UK. I am proud of our results and optimistic that Klaus will take BMW UK to new highs. He is inheriting a strong and committed group of employees and I will watch the UK's progress with interest."