Briton Jonathan Browning has been replaced as head of Volkswagen’s US operation having stepped down for “personal reasons” according to the company.

Taking over his role as president and CEO of the US business is Michael Horn, who joined VW in 1990 and has been head of global aftersales since 2009.

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Browning, 54, who has previously worked at Ford and General Motors – for a time he was chairman of Jaguar – is returning to the UK.

He joined VW in the US in 2010 and oversaw a 23% gain in sales the following year and a further 30% increase in 2012. The past year, however, has been more of a struggle for the German brand in the country.

Sales of VW, Audi, Porsche and Bentley models are up 1% in a market that has increased 8% and VW brand sales have fallen for eight consecutive months.

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