Woebcken: VW has a new head in North American business

Volkswagen has named a new executive Hinrich J. Woebcken to supervise the North American region, assuming responsibility for all the activities of the VW brand. Mr. Woebcken will take up his duties in April. Mr. Woebcken previously served on the board of Munich-based auto supplier Knorr Bremse AG, and formerly worked at BMW AG for about 10 years, Volkswagen said.

This change will allow the company to move forward with strategic reinforcement in the region withbundling development, procurement, production and sales activities in the USA, Mexico and Canada.

Volkswagen brand has also reconfigured its vehicle development structure, which has now been aligned under four vehicle types. Development of small cars like the Up! and Polo (as well as future small SUVs) will be headed by product management chief Klaus-Gerhard Wolpert. Compact vehicles like theGolf will be developed by electrical systems purchasing manager Kalheinz Hell. Product control chiefDr. Elmar-Marius Licharz will oversee mid- and full-size vehicles like the Passat and Touareg. Andbattery electric vehicles will be handled by Christian Senger, who moves to VW from supplier Continental AG.