Rolls-Royce boosts China presence with new market boss
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Rolls-Royce has boosted the importance of its China operations by appointing a director for the market for the first time.
Henrik Wilhelmsmeyer becomes the BMW-owned ultraluxury brand's director for mainland China on July 1.
Jenny Cheng, Rolls-Royce's general manager for greater China, has left the company. She joined Rolls-Royce in 2005 from Porsche China.
Wilhelmsmeyer, 40, a German native, has worked in senior roles for BMW, the last six of which have been in China. He moves to Rolls-Royce from his post as head of BMW South China region and was previously head of dealer development.
Paul Harris, 46, will continue as regional director for Rolls-Royce's Asia-Pacific region, excluding mainland China. His portfolio includes growth areas for Rolls-Royce such as Hong Kong and Taiwan.
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Wilhelmsmeyer moves to Rolls-Royce from BMW. |
In 2011, China became the leading sales region for Rolls-Royce worldwide for the first time, narrowly beating the United States to the top spot.
Rolls-Royce's car sales rose 31 percent to 3,538 last year, the highest sales in the company's 108-year history. The brand did not give sales for China.
You can reach David Jolley at djolley@crain.com.
