Norbert Reithofer

Norbert Reithofer (born 29 May 1956 in Penzberg, West Germany) is a German businessman and former chairman of the board of management (CEO) of BMW.

After graduation, he became research assistant at the university at the Institute for Machine Tools and Business Administration of Joachim Milberg, under whom he gained his doctorate.

In 2002, Reithofer and Development Chief Burkhard Goeschel halved the standard BMW time it took to reach full production of the new generation E90 3 Series, from six months to three.

[5] During his time leading the company, he oversaw a push into lower price categories for BMW and the introduction of a line of electric cars.

[6] He also foresaw the effect that the 2007–2008 financial crisis would have on sales and cut back production in time largely to avoid the losses suffered by competitors including Mercedes-Benz.