The New BMW M CEO is Markus Flasch as Van Meel Moves On To New Position

Jason · 09-17-2018, 11:15 AM

BIMMERPOST NEWS

54
COMMENTS

Name: LeMans_BMW_3082-1500x1000.jpg
Views: 14509
Size: 163.1 KB

Road and Track is reporting that Frank van Meel, the BMW M CEO since 2015 will be moving on to another role within BMW. On October 1st, van Meel will become head of BMW's "Total Vehicle" development department. His replacement as the head of BMW M will be Markus Flasch, who was most recently the BMW 8 Series Project Manager.

Here is Markus Flasch discussing the 8 Series Coupe.

Maverik259 · 09-17-2018, 02:05 PM

Good for them both.

JustChris · 09-17-2018, 02:13 PM

Well the 8 series is pretty fine so that bodes well.

Congrats all.

Brasko · 09-17-2018, 02:13 PM

In it to win it.

///M TOWN · 09-17-2018, 02:19 PM

It's always good to change things up.

I am excited to see what's ahead from BMW ///M GmbH.

KikeBMW · 09-17-2018, 02:24 PM

I'm happy as long as he keeps manuals in the Ms

Law · 09-17-2018, 02:37 PM

When Van Meel was poached from quattro GmbH to M GmbH four years ago, we already had an idea as to why BMW would want the ex-head of quattro to be the head of M.

In comes the F90 M5, with M xDrive and then the speculations about Van Meel's role in the AWD-ification are confirmed.
At the same time, right before our eyes, the M Performance Automobile line becomes nearly all xDrive-based, (i.e., M550i, M760Li, X3 M40i, X4 M40i, X1 M35i & upcoming M340i), with no RWD option except for the M240i.

BMW took the initiative to poach the head of a division (quattro) world renowned for its AWD systems and got what they wanted.

For me personally, I never saw Van Meel as a traditional/true BMW M type of guy, and to his credit he never really pretended to be.
It seemed like he knew exactly why he was chosen for the role and it was exactly what BMW execs wanted.

A necessary evil, perhaps.

But it'll be interesting to see where things go from here.

///M TOWN · 09-17-2018, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KikeBMW

I'm happy as long as he keeps manuals in the Ms

Vote with your wallet.

KikeBMW · 09-17-2018, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eDrive

Quote:

Originally Posted by KikeBMW

I'm happy as long as he keeps manuals in the Ms

Vote with your wallet.

I'd be more of a secondhand voter LOL

///M TOWN · 09-17-2018, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KikeBMW

Quote:

Originally Posted by eDrive

Quote:

Originally Posted by KikeBMW

I'm happy as long as he keeps manuals in the Ms

Vote with your wallet.

I'd be more of a secondhand voter LOL

Not sure what that means to you..

KikeBMW · 09-17-2018, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eDrive

Quote:

Originally Posted by KikeBMW

Quote:

Originally Posted by eDrive

Quote:

Originally Posted by KikeBMW

I'm happy as long as he keeps manuals in the Ms

Vote with your wallet.

I'd be more of a secondhand voter LOL

Not sure what that means to you..

secondhand market...

///M TOWN · 09-17-2018, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KikeBMW

Quote:

Originally Posted by eDrive

Quote:

Originally Posted by KikeBMW

Quote:

Originally Posted by eDrive

Quote:

Originally Posted by KikeBMW

I'm happy as long as he keeps manuals in the Ms

Vote with your wallet.

I'd be more of a secondhand voter LOL

Not sure what that means to you..

secondhand market...

Got it. Long live the manuals...

So far the Manual take-rate is still quite good.

However BMW is cutting cost to fund their electric cars.

ASAP · 09-17-2018, 03:11 PM

changes changes

NEFARIOUS · 09-17-2018, 03:41 PM

Does that mean M cars will now be... Flaschy? How about a car as quick as The Flasch?

M3Fury · 09-17-2018, 04:05 PM

Wish I were at least 10% as passionate in my job as I would be in their jobs. To those who say "it is all what you make of it." GFY.

MR. · 09-17-2018, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NEFARIOUS

Does that mean M cars will now be... Flaschy? How about a car as quick as The Flasch?

Hero hahaha

Falafel Combo · 09-17-2018, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M3Fury

Wish I were at least 10% as passionate in my job as I would be in their jobs. To those who say "it is all what you make of it." GFY.

I doubt their jobs are as "fun" as you have imagined.

I would imagine that they have to sit through powerpoint presentations just like anyone else, crunch deadlines, targets, budgets, satisfy fickle consumers, constantly undergoing public scrutiny all while expectations of them to deliver higher and higher sales are higher than ever.

It's gotta be stressful!!!

Art__Vandelay · 09-17-2018, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NEFARIOUS

Does that mean M cars will now be... Flaschy? How about a car as quick as The Flasch?

I don't quite understand the criticism about the performances of the M cars. Are they so slow recently? I mean I can understand when someone is complaining about the design or the sound of the cars. But the cars aren't slow comparing to the main competitors.

And the engine downsizing is something all big manufacturers are doing. Same with the replacement of the manuals (actually the M division still offers manuals, while I'm not sure if AMG or Audi RS still have cars with manual transmission). Same with the weight (again, comparing to the main competitors) etc. etc. The complaining is really getting outrageous here (not talking about you, but in general).

Chihuahua · 09-17-2018, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Croatian test driver

I don't quite understand the criticism about the performances of the M cars. Are they so slow recently? I mean I can understand when someone is complaining about the design or the sound of the cars. But the cars aren't slow comparing to the main competitors.

And the engine downsizing is something all big manufacturers are doing. Same with the replacement of the manuals (actually the M division still offers manuals, while I'm not sure if AMG or Audi RS still have cars with manual transmission). The complaining is really getting outrageous here (not talking about you, but in general).

Definitely agree to a certain extent. To offer some perspective, you cannot get a manual transmission in your new Ferrari.

davesaddiction · 09-17-2018, 05:33 PM

The fact that he owns (owned?) a Clownshoe tells me a lot! I like where this is going...

http://www.autonews.com/article/2011.../markus-flasch

Wolf · 09-17-2018, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Croatian test driver

Quote:

Originally Posted by NEFARIOUS

Does that mean M cars will now be... Flaschy? How about a car as quick as The Flasch?

I don't quite understand the criticism about the performances of the M cars. Are they so slow recently? I mean I can understand when someone is complaining about the design or the sound of the cars. But the cars aren't slow comparing to the main competitors.

And the engine downsizing is something all big manufacturers are doing. Same with the replacement of the manuals (actually the M division still offers manuals, while I'm not sure if AMG or Audi RS still have cars with manual transmission). Same with the weight (again, comparing to the main competitors) etc. etc. The complaining is really getting outrageous here (not talking about you, but in general).

I see what you didn't get there.

uniqueMR · 09-17-2018, 05:43 PM

COOL BEANS

09-17-2018, 11:15 AM	#1
Jason Administrator 44837 Rep 21,347 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	The New BMW M CEO is Markus Flasch as Van Meel Moves On To New Position BIMMERPOST NEWS The New BMW M CEO is Markus Flasch as Van Meel Moves On To New Position 54 COMMENTS Tweet Road and Track is reporting that Frank van Meel, the BMW M CEO since 2015 will be moving on to another role within BMW. On October 1st, van Meel will become head of BMW's "Total Vehicle" development department. His replacement as the head of BMW M will be Markus Flasch, who was most recently the BMW 8 Series Project Manager. Here is Markus Flasch discussing the 8 Series Coupe. __________________ Check on the Latest BMW News Become a fan of Bimmerpost Facebook Follow us on Bimmerpost Twitter Subscribe to Bimmerpost Youtube Channel
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

09-17-2018, 02:05 PM	#2
Maverik259 Major General 4335 Rep 7,468 Posts Drives: F90 M5 / F15 50i Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Virginia iTrader: (1) Garage List 2020 BMW M5 [10.00] 2014 X5 50i [0.00]	Good for them both. __________________ '07 Yamaha R1 (sold) '06 C55 AMG (sold) ‘?20 M5, MP Carbon Pro Spoiler, MP Carbon Diffuser, MP Black grille and gills, MP Carbon Mirrors, CF side sills, 789M w/ Ti studs, eventuri, Dinan X pipe '14 X5 50i (wife’s now)
	Appreciate 2 Dackelone10880.00 F22_Alpin_Weiss66.00 Quote

09-17-2018, 02:13 PM	#3
JustChris General 17680 Rep 25,241 Posts Drives: Tesla MYRWD Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Well the 8 series is pretty fine so that bodes well. Congrats all. __________________ My car made front page of Bimmerpost
	Appreciate 1 SoCali E361106.00 Quote

09-17-2018, 02:13 PM	#4
Brasko #LSBM3 1432 Rep 1,973 Posts Drives: 2016 BMW M3 Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Oregon / Florida iTrader: (4) Garage List 1984 BMW R65 [0.00] 2020 Ford F-150 XLT ... [0.00] 2003 Mitsubishi Evo ... [0.00] 2016 M3 Competition ... [10.00]	In it to win it. __________________ /// M3
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-17-2018, 02:19 PM	#5
///M TOWN - 33028 Rep 9,986 Posts Drives: M GmbH Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Pacific Northwest iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 M2 [9.27]	It's always good to change things up. I am excited to see what's ahead from BMW ///M GmbH. __________________ ///
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-17-2018, 02:24 PM	#6
KikeBMW "key-k" 55 Rep 19 Posts Drives: F36 440i ZTR Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Miami, FL iTrader: (0)	I'm happy as long as he keeps manuals in the Ms
	Appreciate 13 kdavid25733.00 KingBurt32370.00 davesaddiction393.50 GMe90366.00 SherM4n633.50 antzcrashing1953.00 Simple1140.50 ///Cardia299.00 KevinM3098.00 apascutia173.50 Mikecom32148.00 tareemaa392.00 M3 Adjuster7901.00 Quote

09-17-2018, 02:37 PM	#7
Law Global Moderator 6397 Rep 2,309 Posts Drives: E90 M3 6MT Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: USA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011.5 BMW M3 [10.00] 2004 BMW M3 [10.00]	When Van Meel was poached from quattro GmbH to M GmbH four years ago, we already had an idea as to why BMW would want the ex-head of quattro to be the head of M. In comes the F90 M5, with M xDrive and then the speculations about Van Meel's role in the AWD-ification are confirmed. At the same time, right before our eyes, the M Performance Automobile line becomes nearly all xDrive-based, (i.e., M550i, M760Li, X3 M40i, X4 M40i, X1 M35i & upcoming M340i), with no RWD option except for the M240i. BMW took the initiative to poach the head of a division (quattro) world renowned for its AWD systems and got what they wanted. For me personally, I never saw Van Meel as a traditional/true BMW M type of guy, and to his credit he never really pretended to be. It seemed like he knew exactly why he was chosen for the role and it was exactly what BMW execs wanted. A necessary evil, perhaps. But it'll be interesting to see where things go from here. __________________ 2011.5 E90 ///M3 \| 6-Speed Manual \| Slicktop \| Jerez Black \| Fox Red E9x M3 Press/Media Archives Thread \| S65-based Racing Engines Thread
	Appreciate 30 BitchinManWheels346.00 Too__Hu///Mble103.00 Vervain493.50 RPiM53187.50 E9TOU260.00 BishUK441.00 IllSic_Design2111.00 Nkc1603.50 Falafel Combo3802.00 Big boi m5310.00 Rupes1058.50 Dackelone10880.00 ///M Power-Belgium73590.50 c63er881.00 Niko ZV121.50 Robin_NL9047.50 aussiem3287.50 F32Fleet3984.50 jusblazeee_f22339.50 Simple1140.50 werdn719.50 AlexCirci496.50 clbmw642.50 DeeKay546.50 Mikecom32148.00 NYAWE60675.50 F22_Alpin_Weiss66.00 M3 Adjuster7901.00 Pyrotech74.50 NormanConquest4049.00 Quote

09-17-2018, 03:11 PM	#13
ASAP Major General 11273 Rep 9,215 Posts Drives: '23 X3 M40i Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	changes changes __________________ 2 x N54 -> 1 x N55 -> 1 x S55-> 1 x B58
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-17-2018, 04:05 PM	#15
M3Fury Second Lieutenant 127 Rep 268 Posts Drives: 2025 X5 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: IL iTrader: (0)	Wish I were at least 10% as passionate in my job as I would be in their jobs. To those who say "it is all what you make of it." GFY.
	Appreciate 6 Swappy543.50 RobbyMack738.50 IllSic_Design2111.00 crazyzxf74.50 unrulyteach401.00 DeeKay546.50 Quote

09-17-2018, 05:33 PM	#20
davesaddiction is fast cars 394 Rep 2,131 Posts Drives: '08 E90 M3 6MT SSII BPM Stg II Join Date: May 2012 Location: Oklahoma iTrader: (0)	The fact that he owns (owned?) a Clownshoe tells me a lot! I like where this is going... http://www.autonews.com/article/2011.../markus-flasch __________________ Daddy's Rocket Sled! Clarkson: "It is... pretty much perfect... Why don't I have one of these cars?" Harris: "The saloon is definitely the M3 of choice."
	Appreciate 3 Nkc1603.50 Digital_83260.50 M3 Adjuster7901.00 Quote

09-17-2018, 05:43 PM	#22
uniqueMR Colonel 1957 Rep 2,976 Posts Drives: Depends ;) Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	COOL BEANS __________________ Currently: '22 Ferrari F8T \| '24 Mercedes G63 \| '24 Porsche GT3RS \| '25 BMW M3C \| Ducati Pani V4 Previous Others: Audi, BMW, Ducati, Honda, Infiniti, Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz, MINI, Mitsubishi, Porsche, Toyota, Volkswagen Insta: @theuniquemr
	Appreciate 0 Quote