Germany – Automotive conglomerate Volkswagen AG of Wolfsburg, Lower Saxony announced a reorganisation of the Board of Management, which brings the number of members down from twelve to nine, and the appointment of a new CEO and Chairman, both effective 1 September. 

The changes were effected by the Supervisory Board, whose stated aim is to “streamline” group-level management and decision making. Areas of responsibility previously taken on by members of the board – including Sales, Procurement, Production, and Research and Development – will now be handled by an Extended Executive Committee of personnel from the boards of Volkswagen’s subsidiaries. Murat Askel, member of the Board of Management for Volkswagen Cars, will be responsible for Procurement at Group level; Hildegard Wortmann of Audi will be responsible for Sales; Michael Steiner of Porsche will be responsible for R&D; and Christian Vollmer, also member of the Board of Management for Volkswagen Cars, will be responsible for Production. All four executives will carry out brand- and group-level responsibilities concurrently.