BMW chief executive Harald Krueger collapsed during a press conference at the Frankfurt Auto show while standing beside the company's hybrid electric i8 super car

• BMW chief executive Harald Krueger collapsed at the Frankfurt auto show
• The 49-year-old fell over just five minutes into his press conference today
• BMW said that the CEO underwent 'a moment of dizziness' before falling
• He was assessed by a doctor moments later and is now 'recovering well'  

Shortly after taking to the stage, Krueger staggered backwards and fainted. Two staff members rushed to his aid and helped him to his feet. 

A spokesman for the company who was commentating on the event said: 'I'm a bit lost for words. BMW will try to redo the press conference at a later stage'.  

Harald Krueger, pictured was just five minutes into his press conference in Frankfurt this morning

The 49-year-old executive staggered backwards and collapsed without warning earlier today

Mr Krueger, pictured, looked stunned as he held his head while lying on the ground

Krueger looked visibly stunned and

rubbed the back of his head as he was being led off stage by two members of staff. 

The 49-year-old executive collapsed just five minutes into his press conference. 

BMW spokesman Maximillian Schoberl said Krueger had been feeling unwell before going on stage. He said following the incident, Krueger was examined by a doctor after he underwent 'a moment of dizziness' and was now 'recovering well.' 

The i8 is BMW's revolutionary new supercar. It is powered by an electric motor. It has a 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine. Unlike a traditional car which uses its engine to power the wheels, the i8 uses its engine to recharge its lithium ion batteries which in turn drive the electric motor. 

BMW, the world’s biggest maker of luxury cars, is presenting a revamped version of its top-of-the-line 7-Series saloon at the Frankfurt show. Krueger was making his first appearance at the biennial trade event as BMW’s chief. He took the top post at the Munich-based carmaker in May.

Krueger hadn’t been feeling well Tuesday morning before the press conference, Schoeberl said. The incident happened after the CEO returned from recent trips abroad, the spokesman said.

A roundtable briefing with journalists scheduled for mid-morning will take place as planned, with Chief Financial Officer Friedrich Eichiner filling in for Krueger. 

Meanwhile, Daimler's CEO Dieter Zetsche, pictured in the new Mercedes S-Class, showed how to avoid collapsing live on stage, by sitting behind the steering wheel of the luxury saloon 

Two assistants raced to Krueger's aid and helped him away from the stage for a medical assessment