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Torsten Muller-Otvos Retires After 14 Years As Rolls-Royce CEO
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has announced that Torsten Müller-Ötvös will retire as its CEO on 30 November 2023.
Torsten will be succeeded by Chris Brownridge, who is currently Chief Executive Officer of BMW UK.
Under his leadership, Rolls-Royce Motors introduced the Wraith, Dawn, Cullinan as the all-electric Spectre.
During his tenure, Rolls-Royce annual sales surged from around 1,000 motor cars in 2009 to over 6,000 in 2022.
British luxury marque, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, has announced that Torsten Müller-Ötvös will retire as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) on 30 November 2023 after 14 successful years on the job.
Torsten, who joined Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in 2010, will be succeeded by Chris Brownridge, who is currently Chief Executive Officer of BMW UK.
Commenting on the announcement, Torsten, who bows as the longest-serving Chief Executive since Claude Johnson, said :
“Leading Rolls-Royce for almost 14 years has been the greatest privilege and pleasure of my professional life. To have grown the company and its world-class people to the position it is in today, at the pinnacle of the luxury industry, has been a remarkable adventure.
“I am proud of the role my exceptional team and I have played in contributing significantly to the UK economy and to the global recognition of Britain’s ability to produce the world’s best luxury products.”
Oliver Zipse, the BMW Group Chief Executive, said :
“Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is a jewel in the crown of our organisation. Torsten’s outstanding leadership, unswerving commitment, clear vision and exceptional ability to build a strong, focused team have helped make Rolls-Royce the world-class luxury brand it is today. We wish him the very best for his future endeavours.”
Under Torsten’s leadership, Rolls-Royce annual sales surged from around 1,000 motor cars in 2009 to over 6,000 in 2022, and saw the introduction of new fast-selling models to the Rolls-Royce product portfolio, as well as the expansion of Bespoke and coachbuilts.
During his tenure, Rolls-Royce Motors introduced the Wraith, Dawn, Cullinan – the first SUV in the marque’s history – as the all-electric Spectre Coupe – all joining just two models, the Phantom and Ghost being produced at Goodwood when he took up his appointment in 2010.
Also during his time, the average price of a Rolls-Royce cars and clients average age went from around €250,000 ($264,000) and 56 years in 2010 to around €500,000 ($527,000) and average age of just 43 today.
Further commenting on today’s announcement, Torsten said :
“As I leave Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, I look forward to the opportunity for new professional challenges, as well as having a little more time to visit the world’s great fly-fishing rivers! I wish Chris Brownridge the very best as he takes the helm of this wonderful marque.
“The team we have built over the last 14 years includes some of the most talented, dedicated and innovative minds in the luxury and automotive industries. I’m confident that, together, they will add further remarkable chapters to the extraordinary story of a company like no other in the world.”
