Ex-BMW Executive Pieter De Waal Joins Zero Motorcycles Board of Directors

Zero Motorcycles announced the addition of Pieter De Waal as the newest member of its board of directors.

De Waal provides Zero with more than 30 years of experience in the automotive and motorcycle industries. Formerly of Nissan, Delta (General Motors), Mercedes Benz and, most recently, BMW, De Waal has experience dealing with many facets of the industry, from engineering to sales.

In addition to joining Zero’s board of directors, De Waal will also be a consultant on future business strategies including powertrain initiatives. The move follows Zero’s pattern of attracting experienced motorcycle industry executives. Previous additions include hiring AMA Hall of Famer Scot Harden as vice president of global marketing.

“We’re thrilled to have someone with Pieter’s wealth of experience with BMW Motorrad, the motorcycle division at BMW, joining the Zero Board of Directors,” says Richard Walker, chief executive officer of Zero Motorcycles. “His counsel will be invaluable as we enter our next phase of growth to further solidify Zero’s position as market leaders in the electric motorcycle marketplace.”

De Waal retired from BMW in March 2012, capping off an 18-year tenure with the German manufacturer. De Waal has more than 20 years of engineering experience, earning a Civil Engineering diploma from the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa. De Waal’s most recent position with BMW was vice president of BMW Motorrad USA. Prior to that, De Waal headed-up BMW’s worldwide sales and marketing, as well as general manager of BMW Motorrad for the BMW Group in Great Britain and South Africa. De Waal also has experience in racing, severing as technical director of BMW Motorsport.

“I am excited to be part of Zero Motorcycles,” said de Waal. “I believe that electric vehicles will play an important role in our future and Zero has the resources, drive and pioneering spirit to help make that future an exciting reality.”

[Source: Zero]

By Dennis Chung