Source: BMW Loses Core Development Team of Its i3 and i8 Electric Vehicle Line - WSJ BERLIN—BMW AG has lost the core development team of its i3 and i8 electric vehicle line to Future Mobility Corp, a Chinese startup backed by Tencent Holdings, as the German premium brand struggles to come up with a convincing answer to competitor Tesla Motors Inc. Carsten Breitfeld, a 20-year BMW veteran who developed the company’s i8 plug-in hybrid sports car, left the Munich-based car maker last month to become chief executive of the Chinese electric car company. Now, three key executives from the “BMW i” electric car group are following him. Dirk Abendroth, who developed electric powertrains for the i-series, Benoit Jacob, who was head of design at BMW i, and Henrik Wenders, head of BMW i product management, will take up positions at Future Mobility, according to two people familiar with the situation. Sometimes this can be a good thing. I wish them well! Bob Wilson
China is upping their game, trying to catch up in the automobile world. They haven't been able to do this internally - like Japan and South Korea largely did. Partnerships and acquisitions have not gotten them there yet. Team leaders and senior engineers is the next logical step.
Forget any monetary enticements, I have to believe that those members left BMW due to a lack of support in innovation. The focus of large western corporations tend to be around financial management, and less around development. In fact, I would even guess that product development is viewed more as an extravagance and less as a core requirement. If a company's directors are only looking for the fastest return on investments, then all other activities are ignored. This can easily cause disillusion and a lack excitement towards the company and their products for members of those teams. Clearly, this Chinese startup is fueling up to go after this market.
can probably build a carbon fibre chassis in china for peanuts. maybe from peanut shells. and sell them at walmarts.
Looks like there's a lot of jumping going around. Tesla hires Audi veteran as new vehicle-production VP; predecessor took leave of absence
no, but the threat of death to the slave labor employees does count to motivate results. If not, then leadership gets to sell all the kidneys and livers too. .
