BMW Names New North American Chief

BMW (UK) Ltd. Managing Director Jim O’Donnell will cross the Atlantic to take over as president of BMW of North America LLC, replacing Tom Purves April 1.

O’Donnell will report directly to Purves, who will remain chairman and CEO of BMW (US) Holding Corp. and chairman of BMW North America’s management board, the auto maker says.

In addition to filling Purves’ spot, O’Donnell will assume the duties of Howard Mosher, vice president-operations, who will retire March 31.

Prior to his current role, O’Donnell oversaw sales for BMW in South Africa and the U.K. Before joining BMW, he held various positions at Ford Motor Co.