BMW Group Middle East has announced the appointment of Karim-Christian Haririan as the Managing Director, succeeding Dr Hamid Haqparwar who departs the BMW Group after 18 years with the company.

Haririan brings extensive automotive industry experience exclusively with the BMW brand. Starting his career with the company as a sales executive in 1991, he progressed through various roles globally. Notably, he drove regional sales of BMW Group products in diverse global markets, before becoming CEO of BMW Group Greece in 2015.

As CEO and Managing Director of BMW Group Poland from 2020 onwards, his achievements include signifi-cantly expanding the brand’s growth in various model categories, such as the GKL 7 Series and the high-performance M models. Under his leadership, BMW Group Poland went from 17,000 cars sold in 2020 to 24,000 in 2022.

“I am thrilled to welcome Karim-Christian to his new position, and I am certain that with our shared principles, trust and commitment, we will continue the success story of BMW Group in the region,” said Jean-Philippe Parain, Senior Vice President Sales for Asia-Pacific, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa at BMW Group.

“Karim-Christian brings with him a wealth of experience in the automotive industry, and his expertise gained in diverse markets will be invaluable in his new role.”

Dr Haqparwar has been a driving force in the company, holding the position as Manager Director of BMW Group Middle East since 2018 and guiding business and sales across 13 markets in the Middle East. He joined the BMW Group in 2006 and since held several key positions in the Middle East, Germany and India, culminating in his role as Managing Director of BMW Group Middle East since 2018. His tenure has been marked by exceptional results and a transformative mobility approach.

Under Hamid’s leadership, BMW Group Middle East experienced some of the most successful years in the company’s history. His leadership was also invaluable during the challenging trials that the company faced, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic, the company said.

Dr Haqparwar and team have also set the strategic direction for the transformation of BMW Group towards sustainable mobility, in addition to corporate and social responsibility in the region.

Reflecting a forward-thinking approach and his own expertise, He has extended BMW Group’s presence in the realm of esports and blockchain technologies in the region, underscoring the company’s dedication to innova-tion and engagement with contemporary trends.

“As we welcome a new chapter, we also bid farewell to a highly respected colleague, Dr Hamid Haqparwar. Since joining BMW Group in 2006, Hamid has made significant contributions across the board at BMW. His un-wavering commitment to sustained growth and innovation have left an indelible mark on the company,” Parain said.