Rolls Names New CEO

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars taps BMW AG veteran Torsten Mueller to take over the top spot as CEO effective the end of March, replacing a retiring Tom Purves.

Mueller has spent more than 20 years with parent BMW in a variety of sales and marketing posts and has been heading up the auto maker’s global product management and after-sales business since April 2008. He also is credited with helping launch the Mini brand internationally under BMW.

Mueller will report to Rolls Chairman and BMW management board member Ian Robertson.

Purves is leaving BMW after 25 years at the auto maker. He took over the CEO spot at Rolls in April 2008, after deciding to vacate the top spot at BMW in the U.S., which he had held for nine years.