Hans-Rudolf Hein Leaving BMW to join Bridgestone

According to his own words, Hans-Rudolf Hein – in charge of tyre and wheel development at BMW – will after 32 years turn his back on the automobile industry to join Bridgestone Europe at the start of next year. While he cites private reasons for the change, he also states that he’s always wanted to know what it’s like to work for a tyre manufacturer. Among other things, Hein will in his new position be responsible for representing Bridgestone’s point of view in various committees and organisations.

When asked by Tyres & Accessories whether leaving BMW will lead to a change at the vehicle manufacturer in terms of the fitment of its cars with run-flat tyres, Hein denies that it will. Although Hein can be described as one of the driving forces behind BMW’s run-flat strategy, he claims that the German manufacturer’s cars will continue to be seen rolling on runflats in the future. “For sure an individual can move some things, but in a company of BMW’s size things do not depend on a single person all alone,” he says.