Ulrich Eichhorn, currently head of research and development of the Volkswagen Group, is to become chairman of the management board of IAV in Berlin from 1 January, 2019.
His current role will be assumed by Frank Welsch, Volkswagen Passenger Cars technical development head.
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Eichhorn has a doctorate in mechanical engineering. After starting his career at Ford, he was head of Volkswagen Group Research from 2000 to 2003. In 2003, he was appointed technical development of Bentley, before joining VDA (the German Association of the Automotive Industry) as managing director in 2012. In 2016, Eichhorn returned to VW as head of group R&D.
Welsch also has a doctorate in mechanical engineering. He started his career with VW group research in 1994. In 2009, he transferred to Shanghai development head. From 2011, he assumed responsibility for vehicle body, equipment and safety development with the VW brand. From 2012, he was Skoda technical development and design chief. He took up his current role in 2015.
