Volkswagen Group’s quality chief, Frank Tuch, is leaving the company at his own request to assume new responsibilities elsewhere.
He had been in his post since 2010 and was recently suspended – along with a number of other senior managers – as part of the investigation at VW into the ‘dieselgate’ scandal. Tuch has not been charged with any wrongdoing.
Go deeper with GlobalData
VW said in a statement that it regrets his departure, but thanks him for his achievements. He will continue to serve VW in an advisory capacity, the company said.
Prior to assuming the quality assurance responsibility at VW Group, he held positions in quality assurance and as technical director at various companies, including the former DaimlerChrysler AG as well as Porsche.
Hans-Joachim Rothenpieler, currently Board Member for Technical Development at the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles brand, will head Group Quality Assurance effective February 15, 2016. Rothenpieler’s successor is Dr. Harald Ludanek, currently Member of the Scania Executive Board and Executive Vice President, Head of Research and Development. In his new function Rothenpieler reports to the CEO of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, Matthias Müller.
VW said that functions in the area of responsibility headed by the CEO have been reorganised as part of the group’s structural and staff realignment, and the number of top managers reporting direct to the CEO has been almost halved. As a result, Volkswagen says it is becoming “more streamlined and speeding up its internal decision-making processes”.
How well do you really know your competitors?
Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.
Thank you!
Your download email will arrive shortly
Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample
We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form
By GlobalDataHans-Joachim Rothenpieler Hans-Joachim Rothenpieler (58) holds a degree in mechanical engineering and joined the Group in 1986. From 1994 he held various senior management positions in development at the ŠKODA, Bentley and Volkswagen Passenger Cars brands. He was named head of quality assurance at Volkswagen AG in 2007 and appointed board of management spokesman and managing director for engineering at Volkswagen Sachsen GmbH in 2010. He has been Board Member for Technical Development at the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles brand since 2014.
Dr. Harald Ludanek Dr. Harald Ludanek (57) holds a PhD in mechanical engineering and has been with the Group since 1992. He began his professional career at Volkswagen researching into special gear units and transmission technology. His functions included head of Group development coordination. Ludanek was Member of the Board of Directors for Technical Development at ŠKODA from 2002 to 2007. He subsequently assumed responsibility for total vehicle development and prototype construction at the Volkswagen brand. As Executive Board Member of Scania CV, AB in Södertälje, he has headed research and development since 2012.
