BMW News

Most corporate chief executive officers get to drive—or be chauffeured in—a company car. It goes with the territory. There is one CEO, however, who gets to drive a company car like few others. This CEO gets to drive that car in places few other CEOs are qualified to drive. You might call it the ultimate driving fringe benefit.

The CEO is Ludwig Willisch of BMW of North America. His company car, which he only gets to drive on an occasional weekend, happens to be the BMW 3.0CSL that won the 1975 Sebring 12 Hours. For this, the 40th anniversary of BMW NA’s first big racing victory, the company has made a video in which Mr. Willisch describes this incredibly great aspect of his job.

Many Club members have had the opportunity to see Willisch drive classic BMW racecars at vintage races. Many will do so again at this year’s Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion in August.

On the similarities of racing cars and running a company, Willisch was quoted in Fortune Magazine, “Regardless of whether it’s a vintage or current car, racing is a dynamic sport and running BMW of North America is just as dynamic. On the track, you always are facing new obstacles, the car evolves and the driver must be constantly learning and improving. Same for the CEO—constantly finding new ways to improve the business and staying focused on the goal, which is to win!”

He continued, “Just as important is keeping the team together and focused. In a race, it is the driver who crosses the finish line and gets the trophy. But the driver isn’t the only one responsible for the win. The team is crucial in overcoming obstacles and making the win possible. It’s the team who keep the car on the road and who must respond when thing don’t go according to plan. A good leader, like the best driver, knows he is never alone and all success is shared.”

Given the record-setting sales BMW NA has achieved under Willisch’s leadership, we think he deserves the chance to get out of the office every now and then. If that means we get to see beautiful classic BMW racecars competing on the track once again, so much the better.—Scott Blazey

Enjoy the video.

[Photos and video courtesy of BMW of North America.]