In what BMW calls, “A tragic accident,” Jack Pitney, the Vice President of Marketing for BMW North America, and who was recently about to take over as VP of BMW’s Eastern Region on September 1st, passed away earlier today.
Unfortunately there are no details about the incident, other than that BMW says Mr. Pitney was vacationing on his farm when the accident happened.
Jack was someone that I worked very closely with for the live web cast at the 2010 NY Auto Show. While I didn’t know him in any other way, I know that he was a true car guy. He was a BMW fan with all his heart. More so, he was an advocate of manual transmissions. He drove a 2011 BMW 335iS convertible, with a manual.
At the launch of the new F10 5-Series, Jack received a brilliant display of applause when he said that BMW was offering the 535i and 550i models with no cost manual transmissions, saying that as long as he was there, they would be in their cars. I hope that tradition lives on in the spirit of the great Mr. Pitney.
More information, plus a BMW biography will follow soon.
My condolences go out to the family and friends of Jack Pitney.
Press Release:
Tragic Death of BMW NA Vice President Jack Pitney
Woodcliff Lake, NJ – August 26, 2010… It is with great sadness that we inform you that Jack Pitney, BMW of North America Vice President of Marketing, was killed earlier today in a tragic accident while on vacation at his farm. We don’t have many further details to share with you at this time but wanted you to have the information as quickly as possible. As we learn more details, we will keep you informed.
