The Volkswagen group has announced an extensive “structural and management realignment” as part of its ‘Strategy 2018’ – its plan to be the world’s largest vehicle manufacturer by that year.
The shake-up sees the creation of new board functions for China and commercial vehicles, underlying the importance of both to VW’s global ambitions while three top executives at Audi are replaced.
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The changes take effect from 1 September.
“Our company has grown strongly and become more international in recent years. This fundamental reorganisation is the right response to the increasing challenges,” said CEO Martin Winterkorn, announcing the changes after an extraordinary meeting of the supervisory board.
“At the same time we are laying the foundations for keeping the group and its brands on their successful course even in a difficult market environment.”
The changes see Jochem Heizmann move from commercial vehicles to head up China, replacing Karl-Thomas Neumann who has often been tipped as a successor to Winterkorn. Neumann will be found a new job within VW, said Winterkorn.
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By GlobalDataLeif Östling, chief executive at Scania, takes Heizmann’s job at commercial vehicles and is tasked with further integrating MAN, Scania and Volkswagen commercial vehicles.
Wolfgang Dürheimer moves from CEO of Bentley after only a year to take on Audi’s technical development; he will be joined at Audi by Luca de Meo who will head up sales and marketing. De Meo is currently group marketing chief.
Bernd Martens, currently head of new product start-ups in group purchasing, will head up purchasing at Audi.
