He replaces Vikram Pawah who is currently the CEO of BMW Group Australia and the President of BMW Group India. Mr Pawah will relocate to India to focus solely on BMW Group business in the Indian market.

Mr Pawah has been with the BMW Group since 2017 when he joined BMW Group India as President. In 2018, he was appointed as CEO of BMW Group Australia and New Zealand.

Mr Buechel started his career at BMW Group’s headquarters in Munich 25 years ago and has held senior general manager and managing director leadership roles for both the BMW and Mini brands covering strategy, marketing, sales and general management.

He recently led the Niederlassung (company-owned) branch in Berlin and since 2018, he has been head of Mini Germany. His past international experience includes serving as area manager for BMW Asia based in the company’s Singapore office.

Mr Buechel said: “I am delighted to be appointed to this new role at a time of great challenge and progress, in particular within the realm of electromobility.”

“Consistent innovation coupled with impeccable customer service is a trademark of the BMW Group and a driving factor behind its ongoing success.

“I see my appointment as an exciting opportunity to drive this forward and to contribute to BMW Group Australia’s continued growth.”

Mr Buechel said he also wanted to thank Mr Pawah “for his outstanding achievements in the Australian market over the past three years”.

BMW Group Asia Pacific, Eastern European, Middle East and Africa region senior vice-president Hendrik von Kuenheim said of Mr Pawah: “Under his leadership, working closely with our 45 dealers across the nation, BMW Group Australia has achieved impressive growth across every area of the business despite the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the automotive market this year.”

Vikram Pawah

By Neil Dowling