Successor for Martin Winterkorn: Müller becomes VW boss, personnel carousel rotates

M atthias Müller (62) is appointed Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG with immediate effect. The Supervisory Board decided on this at its meeting on Friday in Wolfsburg. Müller is currently CEO of Porsche. He will continue this function until a successor is named. Müller's existing management contract runs until the end of February 2020 and will be continued.

Vahland will be responsible for America

In addition, the Supervisory Board resolved further personal details. Skoda boss Winfried Vahland (58) moves up to the VW brand management board and will be responsible for the newly created North America region from November 1, in which the US, Mexico and Canada markets are combined. Bernhard Maier (55), previously Sales Director at Porsche, will take over his position at Skoda. Michael Horn (52) remains VW USA boss. The contract with procurement director Javier Garcia Sanz (58) was extended by five years. VW Brand Board Member Christian Klingler (47) is leaving the company with immediate effect in the course of a long-term structural change and due to differing views on the business strategy. This is not related to the emissions scandal. The function of Klingler is taken over by Seat boss Jürgen Stackmann (54). The Italian Luca de Meo (48), previously Head of Sales at Audi, will take over the position with the Spaniards.

The brand groups have also been reshuffled. A Porsche brand group with Bentley and Bugatti is therefore set up for the sports car and mid-engine kit. The Audi brand group with Lamborghini and Ducati will remain, as will the commercial vehicle holding company.