Stefan Krause: The CFO Who Bet on the Future

Stefan Krause is the financial heavyweight who tried to bring German discipline to the chaotic world of EV startups. Former CFO of BMW and Deutsche Bank, he famously tried to save Faraday Future before defecting to co-found Canoo, pioneering the "skateboard" chassis concept.

The Corporate Heavyweight

In a startup world full of college dropouts, Stefan Krause was the adult in the room. A dual citizen of Germany and the U.S., he spent decades at the pinnacle of European finance, serving as the CFO of BMW (where he oversaw the Rolls-Royce acquisition) and later Deutsche Bank. He was the definition of "The Establishment."

The Faraday Rescue Mission

In 2017, Krause shocked the industry by joining Faraday Future, a hyped but deeply troubled EV company. As CFO, he was tasked with saving the sinking ship. He managed to secure huge investment offers, but when the company's founder refused to relinquish control, Krause walked away. But he didn't leave alone; he took the core engineering team with him.

Inventing Canoo

Krause and his defectors founded Evelozcity, which was later rebranded as Canoo. His vision was radical: move away from ownership to a subscription-only model. Crucially, he championed the development of the "Skateboard Platform"—a self-contained chassis with the battery and motor that could house any body type on top. This modular approach promised to slash manufacturing costs. Although he abruptly left the company in 2020 just before its IPO, the structural DNA of every Canoo vehicle on the road today is a direct result of Krause's strategy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Stefan Krause and what is his legacy in the automotive industry?

<p><strong>Stefan Krause</strong> is a highly influential German-American executive known for his dual expertise in global finance and next-generation mobility. With a career spanning over 30 years, he served as the <strong>CFO of BMW Group</strong> and <strong>Deutsche Bank</strong>, before becoming a central figure in the California electric vehicle (EV) revolution. He is recognized for his ability to scale traditional luxury brands like <strong>Rolls-Royce</strong> while simultaneously pioneering the "asset-lite" and subscription-based business models used by modern EV startups.</p>

What was Stefan Krause’s role in the relaunch of the MINI and Rolls-Royce brands?

<p>During his tenure at <strong>BMW Group</strong>, Stefan Krause was instrumental in the strategic relaunch of the <strong>MINI</strong> brand and served as the <strong>Chairman of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars</strong>. He oversaw the financial and operational integration that brought the <strong>Rolls-Royce Phantom</strong> to market, successfully modernizing the legendary British marque while maintaining its heritage of "bespoke luxury" for a new global elite.</p>

How did Stefan Krause contribute to the founding of Canoo?

<p>In 2017, Stefan Krause co-founded the EV startup <strong>Evelozcity</strong>, which was later rebranded as <strong>Canoo</strong>. Serving as its first CEO and Chairman, Krause championed a revolutionary "flat-pack" skateboard platform. His vision was to move away from traditional car ownership toward a <strong>subscription-only model</strong>, utilizing a modular chassis that could support a wide variety of cabin designs, from delivery vans to lifestyle vehicles.</p>

What was the significance of Stefan Krause’s time at Faraday Future?

<p>Stefan Krause joined <strong>Faraday Future</strong> (FF) as CFO and COO during a critical period in 2017. He was tasked with securing massive capital investment to bring the <strong>FF 91</strong> to production. While his tenure was marked by a high-profile dispute with the company’s founder over financing structures, Krause is credited with professionalizing the startup’s operations and attracting top-tier engineering talent from Detroit and Europe.</p>

How did Stefan Krause influence Fisker Inc.?

<p>In 2020, Stefan Krause joined <strong>Fisker Inc.</strong> as President and COO. He worked closely with Henrik Fisker to implement the company’s <strong>"asset-lite" manufacturing strategy</strong>, which focused on using contract manufacturers like Magna Steyr rather than building private factories. This approach was central to the development of the <strong>Fisker Ocean</strong>, aiming to reduce the time-to-market for sustainable electric SUVs while minimizing long-term financial risk.</p>

What is Stefan Krause’s "asset-lite" business philosophy?

<p>Krause is a leading proponent of the <strong>asset-lite model</strong> in the automotive world. He argues that the future of EVs lies in <strong>outsourcing manufacturing</strong> to specialized firms (like Foxconn or Magna Steyr) so that startups can focus on software, branding, and user experience (<abbr title="User Experience">UX</abbr>). This philosophy is designed to allow new players to compete with the "Big Three" without the massive capital expenditures traditionally required for high-volume vehicle production.</p>

What role did Stefan Krause play at BMW Financial Services?

<p>Before becoming Global CFO, Krause served as the President and CEO of <strong>BMW Financial Services</strong> in the USA. He transformed the division into a major profit center by pioneering innovative <strong>leasing and financing programs</strong>. His deep understanding of how Americans "buy" cars allowed BMW to achieve record-breaking sales growth in North America, establishing a financial blueprint that is still used by luxury brands in 2026.</p>

What is Stefan Krause’s vision for last-mile delivery and eLCVs?

<p>In recent years, Krause has focused on the <strong>electric Light Commercial Vehicle (eLCV)</strong> market through ventures like <strong>B-ON</strong>. He recognizes that the highest demand for electrification is in urban logistics. His work focuses on providing "productivity as a service," combining all-electric vans with <strong>AI-driven fleet management</strong> software to reduce the cost and environmental impact of last-mile delivery in major cities across the USA and Europe.</p>

How does Stefan Krause bridge the gap between Wall Street and Detroit?

<p>Krause is unique because he speaks the language of both <strong>high finance</strong> and <strong>automotive engineering</strong>. Having served as the CFO of Deutsche Bank, he brought a level of fiscal discipline to the EV startup world that was often missing. In 2026, he is frequently cited as a "SPAC expert," having navigated the complexities of taking mobility companies public through <strong>Special Purpose Acquisition Companies</strong>.</p>

How is Stefan Krause viewed in the 2026 automotive landscape?

<p>In 2026, Stefan Krause is honored as a "Serial Mobility Entrepreneur." He is seen as the architect who taught the EV industry how to scale through <strong>strategic partnerships</strong> rather than raw industrial force. He is a frequent keynote speaker at global summits, advising the next generation of engineers on how to integrate <strong>sustainable finance</strong> with the future of autonomous and electric transportation.</p>