Change of leadership at BMW Group South Africa
He then moved to BMW Japan, where he was Director of Marketing. Following that he moved to BMW Group headquarters in Munich, where he led the department responsible for sales channel development and the Group’s “Future Retail” programme.
After heading the sales and marketing operations at BMW Brilliance joint venture in China, he led the German Sales subsidiary before he took the helm as Senior Vice-President Customer Support BMW Group in 2018.
Hendrik von Kuenheim, Senior Vice-President Region Asia Pacific, Eastern Europe, Middle East, Africa, said: “Peter’s breadth of experience in different leadership roles across the company as well as his international background have proved to be a great asset in his current role, and will be extremely valuable in his new position. He now returns to South Africa, where he started his career at the BMW Group, and will use his extensive knowledge and leadership skills in his home country”.
Peter van Binsbergen said: “This is a really exciting time to be involved with BMW Group South Africa and I am looking forward to building on the tremendous work by Tim and his team to strengthen the position of BMW Group South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa. I am also really looking forward to coming home again after 18 years abroad”.
Tim Abbott (62) will leave the BMW Group to focus on projects close to his heart, in South Africa. It will come as no surprise that these will focus mainly on transformation and conservation. Mr. Abbott has been instrumental in the investment decision for the BMW X3, securing many jobs at Plant Rosslyn. As the initiator of the R6Bn Automotive Transformation Fund, he played a pivotal role in the foundation of meaningful transformation in South Africa.
On the other side of the spectrum, Mr Abbott mirrors the BMW campaign “We Build More Than Just Cars” with his commitment to fighting Covid-19 and supporting the Rhino Foundation.
Hendrik von Kuenheim, adds: “I am disappointed to lose Tim from BMW Group South Africa, but I know he will continue to make a difference in South Africa. I want to thank Tim for his contribution and leadership to the company and wish him well in his new ventures”.
Commenting on his time at BMW Group South Africa, Tim said: “BMW Group South Africa has been my home for the past six years and I would like to thank my colleagues – past and present- for their support and encouragement. I have been outspoken in my commitment to transformation and conservation during my tenure here, and I will carry this determination for change with me into my new roles and projects”.
