Official Release: Today, the BMW Group announced Craig Westbrook will become the new Vice President, Aftersales, BMW of North America LLC effective January 1, 2011. Westbrook succeeds Dan Creed who became Vice President, Marketing, BMW of North America on October 1.

Most recently, Westbrook held the position of Plant Project Manager for BMW Manufacturing at the company’s Spartanburg, South Carolina production facility.In his new role, Westbrook will head the entire Aftersales function for BMWNA including Aftersales Business Development & Marketing, Technical Service, Parts Logistics, Warranties, Customer Relations, Product Analysis, Vehicle Distribution, and the BMW Group University.

“Craig has had a diverse and impressive 16 years with BMW Manufacturing including significant international leadership experience” said BMW of North America President and CEO Jim O’Donnell. “His technical background in Production, Engineering and Quality has well prepared him for his expansive new role leading Aftersales.”

Westbrook joined BMW Manufacturing in 1994 as Engineering Change Coordinator in Spartanburg, SC after a marketing internship at Adam Opel AG in Rüsselsheim, Germany. From 1995 through 2000, Westbrook served as Manufacturing Project Leader for the Z3 M roadster and M coupe, and later worked directly for BMW M GmbH as Liaison Engineer to BMW Manufacturing Co.

In 2000, he moved to the launch team at the company’s R&D Headquarters in Munich as Lead Planner for the launch of the BMW Z4. In 2002, he was assigned to be the Launch Manager at Plant Spartanburg and in 2004 became Manager for Total Vehicle Quality. In 2006, he transferred to BMW South Africa as the Rosslyn Plant’s General Manager, Total Vehicle Quality and New Model Launch. From there, he returned in 2008 to Munich as Manufacturing Project Manager for the updated BMW X5, which was launched at Plant Spartanburg for world markets in April 2010.

Westbrook earned a Bachelor of Arts from Davidson College in Davidson, North Carolina. He spent a year of study at Universität Würzburg in Bavaria, Germany. He also holds a Masters Degree in International Business from the University of South Carolina.