[DDD31]

BMW names Bernhard Kuhnt CEO for North America.

http://www.autonews.com/article/2017...-north-america

BMW said it named Bernhard Kuhnt to become CEO of BMW of North America effective March 1.

With the change, Ludwig Willisch, 60, is stepping down from his role as CEO of the U.S. business. Willisch retains his position as head of BMW Group Region Americas, according to the announcement. He had held the dual role since 2012. Kuhnt and the operating heads of all BMW sales subsidiaries in North, Central and South America, report to Willisch.

Could any of our German members please provide the correct pronunciation of the new CEO's last name?

[Viffermike]

Originally Posted by DDD31

Could any of our German members please provide the correct pronunciation of the new CEO's last name?

It's pronounced 'coont'. Just like the Germanic last name 'Butt' is pronounced 'boot'.

[DDD31]

Originally Posted by Viffermike

It's pronounced 'coont'. Just like the Germanic last name 'Butt' is pronounced 'boot'.

Thanks for the reply and the correct pronunciation. I was sure it wasn't pronounced the 'other' way but being a 'dumb' American, unfamiliar with German pronunciations, I felt it is going to be an awkward name for most North Americans.

[Wolf 335]

Can't help but laugh...

[Maynard]

Somebody posted a historical video about the Kuhnt family, and I'd swear they pronounce it just like my 3rd-grade mind thought it would be (i.e. rhymes with "mother in law"). Now I'll just have to stop working and hunt down the darned video.....

...a short waste of time later: (turns out it was the Quandts I was thinking of).

[The Automotive Enthusiast]

With disappointing sales figures last year and a new U.S. president threatening punitive tariffs, BMW could hardly have had a worse start to 2017 in North America.

Now, the Munich-based luxury carmaker has pinned its hopes on Bernhard Kuhnt to turn things around in this important market. BMW likes to call the United States, where it sells more cars than its German home market, its “second home.” Mr. Kuhnt will take over as chief executive of BMW of North America on March 1, according to a company press release.

Current CEO Ludwig Willisch will relinquish the post but keep his position as head of BMW Group Region Americas and Mr. Kuhnt will report to him.

The new CEO is no stranger to the region, having spent nine years in automotive sales management in the U.S. Currently, he is responsible for the BMW Group importer markets and oversees sales in more than 80 countries.

Before joining the Bavarian automaker, he spent 15 years working for rival Mercedes-Benz then switched to Jaguar Land Rover.

The changeover comes after BMW sold 313,174 vehicles in the U.S. in 2016, down 9.5 percent on the year before, although the market grew by a modest 0.3 percent.

BMW was in first place among luxury marques in the U.S. as recently as 2014, but last year it came a distant third, trailing competitors Mercedes Benz and Lexus.

https://global.handelsblatt.com/comp...for-u-s-699622

[jpnh]

Originally Posted by DDD31

Could any of our German members please provide the correct pronunciation of the new CEO's last name?

[jpnh]

Originally Posted by Wolf 335

Can't help but laugh...

First thing I thought of was the Johnny Cash song "Boy named Sue"