Timo Resch returns to lead Porsche Cars North America

A top BMW sales executive is taking the top job at Porsche Cars North America.

Timo Resch, vice president of customer, brand and sales at BMW M, will steer Porsche's North American business as its president and CEO, starting in November.

Resch, 48, succeeds Kjell Gruner, who left the Stuttgart sports car maker in July to join electric vehicle startup Rivian Automotive as sales chief.

Resch's move represents a return to his origins.

He started his career in 1995 as a student with Porsche in Zuffenhausen, Germany. And Resch took on various roles at Porsche AG and Porsche Cars North America from 2007 to 2009, including leading the North American subsidiary's product planning and market research unit.

After that, the executive held several leadership roles at Audi and BMW, where he was responsible for global sales and marketing at BMW Motorrad, among others.

In a statement, Porsche sales boss Detlev von Platen described Resch as an "experienced sales and marketing expert" who is acquainted with the U.S. market.

"With the expertise that he brings from his previous positions, [Resch] will further strengthen the Porsche brand presence in North America and provide important impetus for future development."

Porsche's U.S. sales are on track to hit a three-year high this year. Porsche told dealers it expected U.S. sales to hit 80,000 next year, up 14.2 percent from 2022.

The automaker is also in the midst of an ambitious pivot toward EVs.