Volkswagen Champion BMW Appoints New CEO to Replace Wendeng

The Volkswagen Group issued a statement saying that Herbert Diess, BMW's head of research and development, will join the public and will serve as CEO of the Volkswagen passenger car brand next year. According to foreign media, Diss is the most likely candidate to serve as the next CEO of the Volkswagen Group.

VW announced that Diss, 56, will formally enter the Volkswagen Management Council from October 1, 2015, replacing Martin Winterkorn as chairman of the Volkswagen Passenger Car Brand Management Committee (equivalent to CEO); Wendorn will continue to retain the chairmanship of the Volkswagen Group Management Committee. Diss is currently responsible for research and development at the BMW Management Committee.

Foreign media such as "American Auto News" pointed out that Diss is currently the most likely to take over Wendeng as the CEO of the Volkswagen Group. The Volkswagen passenger car brand is the flagship main force of the Volkswagen Group. It does not include the Chinese business segment and contributes 60% of sales and 18% of profits. Therefore, holding the flagship brand means that Diss is very close to reaching the entire group.

Winterkorn’s role as the CEO of the public is valid until 2016, but Volkswagen’s union hopes to extend it to the end of 2018. By then, Wendorn may succeed Ferdinand Piëch as chairman of the public supervisory board, depending on how long 77-year-old Piech is willing to take power.

Other candidates include Audi CEO Rupert Stadler, public sales manager Christian Klingler, and Skoda CEO Winfried Vahland.