BMW Chief Executive Officer Harald Krueger collapsed during a news conference at the Frankfurt Auto Show in Germany on Tuesday and had to be helped off stage.

The reason for his fall was not immediately clear. He was presenting the powerhouse automaker's new lineup when he stumbled and fell.

Krueger was conscious when he left the stage. A round table he was due to hold with reporters was instead conducted by the firm's chief financial officer.

BMW spokesman Maximilian Schoeberl said Krueger, 49, who took over as BMW’s CEO earlier this year, was traveling a lot recently and was not feeling well ahead of the presentation, but decided to go ahead.

He said Krueger experienced "a moment of dizziness" and was seen by a doctor, who recommended that he cancel his other appointments for the day and rest at home.

“His condition is not worrisome, they’ve ruled out anything serious,” Schoeberl said. "Mr Kruger’s health is stable and he is recovering well.”

The 66th Frankfurt Auto Show is taking place against the background of 23 months of rising car sales in Europe.

Sales in the United States are on track to hit 17 million this year for the first time since 2011.

(USA Today)