BMW chief executive collapses at Frankfurt car show

Car maker suspends press conference in wake of incident

German luxury carmaker BMW's new chief executive, Harald Krueger, faints on stage at the Frankfurt auto show. BMW later confirmed Krueger is stable and recovering well. Video: Reuters

BMW was forced to end a press conference at the Frankfurt International Motor Show after its chief executive Harald Krueger collapsed on stage.

The 49-year-old was escorted offstage by two assistants following the incident on Tuesday which took place shortly after the briefing started.

Mr Krueger is being treated by a doctor after the “moment of dizziness,” BMW spokesman Maximilian Schoeberl said in a statement, adding that the CEO’s condition is stable and he’s recovering well.

BMW, the world’s biggest maker of luxury cars, is presenting a revamped version of its top-of-the-line 7-Series sedan at the Frankfurt show.

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Mr Krueger was making his first appearance at the biennial trade event as BMW’s chief.

He took the top post at the Munich-based carmaker in May. Mr Krueger hadn’t been feeling well on Tuesday morning before the press conference, Mr Schoeberl said.

The incident happened after the CEO returned from recent trips abroad. A roundtable briefing with journalists scheduled for mid- morning will take place as planned, with chief financial officer Friedrich Eichiner filling in.

- Bloomberg

Mark Hilliard

Mark Hilliard

Mark Hilliard is a reporter with The Irish Times