BMW chairman faints during presentation at auto show

Frankfurt, Sep 15: The biennial auto show here kicked off on an inauspicious note with the BMW Group Chairman Harald Krueger collapsing while starting to make the presentation on the company's new product line-up.

The automaker later said he was "recovering well". Krueger, who fell on his back as he stumbled backward just before starting his presentation about the company's new line-up, was helped off the stage by staff.

BMW's presentation was the first in a series of press conferences lined up by various automakers for the day. Initially staff at the stage played down the incident, but later the company in a statement said Krueger had experienced "dizziness" and his health was stable.

"At the BMW Group Press Conference the Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW Group, Harald Krueger, experienced a moment of dizziness," the statement said.

As a result, the press conference was cancelled so that Krueger could be examined by a doctor, it added.

"Krueger's health is stable and he is recovering well," the company added. It is understood that the 49-year-old Krueger hasn't been feeling well but decided to go ahead with the presentation.

He had recently been travelling a lot. Krueger had assumed role at the helm of BMW earlier this year.

PTI