Volkswagen AG's new CEO, former Porsche chief Matthias Müller, has named Porsche head of public relations and press Hans-Gerd Bode (54) head of group communications, investor relations and external relations, with immediate effect. He succeeds Stephan Grühsem (53), "who is leaving the company by amicable agreement", according to a VW statement.

Müller said: "With Hans-Gerd Bode, another recognised expert is taking over at the helm of communications in our company. He has excellent knowledge of the group and the automotive industry."

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Bode's previous posts included press officer at Mitsubishi and at Opel. He joined Mercedes-Benz  and moved to Volkswagen AG in Wolfsburg in 1999 to run group brand and product communications. He was appointed head of product and technical communications at Porsche AG in 2008, becoming head of public relations and press in October 2010.

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