Klaus von Moltke to lead BMW’s San Luis Potosí plant; Harald Gottsche to return to lead operations in Austria

BMW Group announced a leadership change at its San Luis Potosí production plant in Mexico, where Klaus von Moltke took over as -president and CEO of the facility effective January 1, 2026. He succeeded Harald Gottsche, who concluded a tenure marked by significant expansion and innovation at the site.

Von Moltke had previously served as head of engine manufacturing and managing director of BMW Motoren GmbH in Steyr, Austria, and assumed the top post at San Luis Potosí with more than 25 years of experience across production concepts, vehicle industrialisation and manufacturing leadership within BMW Group. He has held key production roles in South Africa, the Netherlands and Germany, and is known for spearheading advanced powertrain projects at the Steyr facility.

Among the senior managers who will report into von Moltke is Raúl Gamboa, head of logistics, production control and production systems at BMW Group Plant San Luis Potosí, a role that encompasses the planning and steering of inbound, vehicle and production logistics across Mexico and the wider North American network.

Gamboa emerged as a prominent voice on supply-chain execution from the Mexican site, speaking at Automotive Logistics & Supply Chain conferences about how the plant’s logistics organisation had expanded its responsibilities beyond traditional duties to include regional supply-base management, just-in-time and just-in-sequence flows, returnable packaging and digital control tower concepts.

Von Moltke’s move comes as the San Luis Potosí plant is expected to become one of the production hubs for the next-generation BMW iX3 SUV in 2027, part of the company’s upcoming Neue Klasse EV platform. The facility currently builds the BMW 3 Series sedan, 2 Series Coupé and M2 performance models. BMW is also investing around €800 million ($930 million) for the expansion of the plant and the creation of a battery module production centre.

For BMW, this leadership rotation aligns two experienced plant managers with critical roles on different fronts. “Both plants will set the course for the future in the coming years and will play a crucial role in expanding electromobility,” said Milan Nedeljković, BMW AG Board Member for Production, referring to the Steyr and San Luis Potosí sites.

Harald Gottsche: Leading rapid expansion in Mexico

Gottsche took charge of the San Luis Potosí plant in December 2020, in what he later described as a “baptism of fire.” He arrived as the Covid-19 pandemic began and was tasked with scaling up a brand-new factory’s output while navigating global disruptions. Over the following five years, Gottsche guided the operation through its ramp-up, establishing stability and growth.

Under his leadership, the plant achieved a production milestone of 500,000 units and broadened its lineup to include new models such as the 2 Series Coupé and the high-performance M2, including limited editions like the M2 CS and M2 Racing. He also oversaw major capacity expansions, extending the assembly and logistics areas by 10,000 square metres and the body shop by 20,000 square metres, while implementing advanced efficiency and sustainability measures that earned the facility global recognition.

Gottsche’s tenure was marked by close engagement with the local workforce and community, as he championed the development of Mexican manufacturing talent. With the San Luis Potosí operation firmly established, Gottsche prepared to return to Europe to lead BMW’s Steyr engine plant in his native Austria.

Gottsche said: “It has been a privilege to lead an exceptional team in San Luis Potosí. Together we reached important milestones that positioned Mexico as a key actor in the BMW Group’s global strategy.”

Klaus von Moltke: Driving innovation across borders

During his tenure in Austria, the Steyr plant launched BMW’s latest generation of electric drive units supporting the upcoming Neue Klasse vehicles and added a hydrogen fuel cell system to its production mix, underscoring what he described as the site’s “courage, innovative strength and openness to technology.”

In his transition to Mexico, von Moltke described the move as a continuation of his work. “At BMW Group’s largest engine plant, I had the opportunity to help deliver the engines for the Neue Klasse. Now I look forward to bringing Neue Klasse vehicles to the road together with the outstanding team in San Luis Potosí,” he said.

Despite the challenging conditions in the industry, von Moltke added that he is confident the team will “continue writing the company’s success story in the Americas”.