BMW M Gains New Engineering Leadership with Alexander Karajlovic

It’s a significant week for the corporate world of the BMW Group as Milan Nedeljković is set to take over as Chairman and CEO in May 2026, succeeding Oliver Zipse. This change in leadership marks a new era for the company, with additional leadership transitions underway. Alexander Karajlovic has been appointed as the Head of Development at BMW M, taking over from Dirk Häcker.

Karajlovic is no stranger to the BMW M division, having previously worked on the XM project and served as the Vice President for the M lineup from early 2021 to mid-2023. After a stint in BMW’s broader development team, he has returned to M to lead the way in innovation and performance.

BMW M has seen impressive growth in recent years, with the sub-brand achieving its 13th consecutive year of growth in 2024, shipping 206,582 vehicles. The outlook for 2025 is even more promising, with deliveries up by 7.9% compared to the previous year, reaching 158,182 units by September. These figures include the popular M Performance models.

Dirk Häcker, a veteran engineer with 37 years of experience at the BMW Group, including 11 years in the M division, is set to retire. Häcker has been instrumental in the development of the performance lineup, overseeing the return of the M5 Touring and the introduction of the first-ever M3 Touring.

Exciting times lie ahead for BMW M, as the division is working on its first electric model, the M3 “ZA0,” expected to debut in 2027. This high-performance electric sedan will pave the way for more electric vehicles from M, including an X3 M.

BMW M reassures traditionalists that the iconic inline-six and V8 engines will remain, with updates planned to meet Euro 7 standards. The next-generation M3 “G84” will retain its six cylinders, and the upcoming 3 Series M Performance model (M350) will continue to feature the “B58” engine.

Additionally, BMW M will continue to offer at least one plug-in hybrid model, with a facelifted M760e expected next year. Enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating a new supercar from BMW M, possibly a successor to the legendary M1, before the division transitions away from combustion engines.