BMW of North America is shuffling its executive leadership for its Eastern and Western regions to drive growth, the company announced on Friday.
Tom Shanley was reappointed Eastern Region VP, a post he held when he joined the automaker in 2017. Shanley takes over for Aksel Krieger, who now is VP of sales and marketing for BMW Group Financial Services North America.
Martin Fritsches, president and CEO of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars America, was appointed Western Region VP, succeeding Shanley, who held the job the past two years.
Both Shanley and Fritsches have strong sales growth records, according to the company. BMW’s U.S. Q3 year-over-year sales fell 7% to 78,128 vehicles, a trend Shaun Bugbee, EVP of operations for BMW North America, believes the company’s new regional leaders can turn.
“I’m happy to bring Tom Shanley back to the Eastern Region where, I have no doubt, he’ll pick up right where he left off,” he said. “I’d also like to welcome Martin Fritsches, who will draw on his experience with all four of our brands, to lead BMW in the Western Region.”
Shanley set benchmarks for electric vehicle sales, while also increasing SUV performance and market share, the company said.
Fritsches became president and CEO of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars North America in May 2018 and has been with BMW Group in various executive roles since 1999. The company said he delivered record sales for Rolls-Royce and its highest-ever highest dealer satisfaction scores, while also overseeing launches of the brand’s first SUV and electric vehicle in the U.S.
Shanley wasn’t the only leader BMW Group sent back to their former stomping grounds on Friday. Kate Alini will rejoin MINI USA in the role of department manager of marketing, product and strategy, effective Jan. 1. She previously was head of client and brand experience for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars North America, a post she’s held since 2020.
Alini has been with BMW of North America for more than 20 years and was MINI USA’s marketing and communications manager from May 2004 to December 2011, according to her LinkedIn profile. She takes over for Patrick McKenna who is retiring after 27 years with the company.