Volkswagen said Herbert Diess will succeed Matthias Mueller as chief executive as it resolves to “extensively revise the group’s management structure. ”
Volkswagen said: “The introduction of the brand groups Volume, Premium and Super Ppremium, along with the planned preparation for capital market readiness of Truck & Bus, create the basis for a more subsidiary leadership of the group.
“The chairmen of the board of management responsible for the brand groups will be taking on additional group management roles.
“Following this reorganization, Herbert Diess will be responsible for group development and research, Rupert Stadler for group sales, and Oliver Blume for group production.
“Additional group functions will be allocated according to the same principle.
“Due to the special significance of vehicle connectivity, Vehicle IT will be led by Herbert Diess himself; Company IT will be headed by Frank Witter.
“Procurement and Components are to be combined into one unit going forward.”
Chairman of the Supervisory Board Hans Dieter Pötsch said: “The Volkswagen Group’s goal is and remains to align the company and its brands with future needs, to safeguard its position among the leaders of the international automotive industry with innovativeness and profitability and to be instrumental in shaping tomorrow’s personal mobility with the strength of our group brands.
“Herbert Diess is the right manager to do that.
“In realigning the Volkswagen brand, he has demonstrated to impressive effect the speed and rigor with which he can implement radical transformation processes.
“This accomplishment makes him predestined to fully implement our Strategy 2025 in the decisive years that are now to follow.”
Diess said: “The Volkswagen Group is a union of strong brands with great potential. Matthias Müller has laid the groundwork for our transformation.
“My most important task will now be to join with our management team and our group workforce in consistently pursuing and pushing forward our evolution into a profitable, world-leading provider of sustainable mobility.
“In a phase of profound upheaval in the automotive industry, it is vital for Volkswagen to pick up speed and make an unmistakable mark in e-mobility, the digitalization of the automobile and transportation as well as new mobility services.”
Pötsch added: “Matthias Müller has done outstanding work for the Volkswagen Group.
“He assumed the chairmanship of the board of banagement in the fall of 2015 when the company faced the greatest challenge in its history.
“Not only did he safely navigate Volkswagen through that time; together with his team, he also fundamentally realigned the group’s strategy, initiated cultural change and, with great personal commitment, made sure that the Volkswagen Group not just stayed on track but is now more robust than ever before.
“For that, he is due the thanks of the entire company.”