Wolfgang Bernhard could leave VW if commitment doesn't come by Friday
Looks like Wolfgang Bernhard may have taken the appointment of Martin Winterkorn as future Volkswagen AG CEO personally. Reports are swirling that Bernhard is likely to step down soon. Newspapers are reporting today that VW has asked for a commitment from Bernhard by Friday. German business newspaper Handelsblatt said Bernhard had threatened as early as May to resign if Winterkorn became CEO.
This would be a pretty big loss for Volkswagen, as Bernhard is widely regarded as a savior for VW because of his efforts to cut costs in Germany. Some put Bernhard's contribution to Volkswagen's bottom line as high as $9 billion (7 billion euros) by 2008. That has come mainly as a result of restructured benefits and extended working hours for VW's 100,000 workers at its plants in western Germany.
This comes on the heels of last week's shakeup that saw the group's chief executive Bernd Pischetsrieder stepping down after a power struggle with VW chairman Ferdinand Piech. That resulted in the nomination of Audi CEO Martin Winterkorn as the new head of VW. Bernd has since been reassigned to the trucking arm of VAG.
[Sources: Reuters and Automotive News, sub req]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Josh E. Oliver 11:29PM (11/14/2006)
I said back when he left Daimler. GM should pursue this man. Not for North American Operations...YET, but to head up overseas operations.
He would make the perfect successor to Lutz, and his passion and love for the automobile is pretty unique.
GM, PLEASE pursue Wolfgang if he becomes a free agent yet again. If only as an advisor, you'd be fools not to!
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Nick 11:36PM (11/14/2006)
Please, go back to Chrysler!
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Mike 11:45PM (11/14/2006)
Great. VW is f--ked. Audi execs hate VW, plus it definately seems like theres a petty feud going on here.
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Piech's Folly 12:03AM (11/15/2006)
Gr8t. Just another wrong turn at VW AG. Thought that the PB-WB duo would bring sunshine to Wolfsburg, now it seems that Porsche-Piech is committed to swallowing the EU's biggest carmaker no matter what.
Where to, WB? Employees at Mercedes are a great fool not to accept this genius as their CEO. No wonder BMW does not consider MB as their chief rival, Lexus...Oh wait, may be Lexus should take WB as their CEO. Wow.
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kevin reale 11:01AM (11/15/2006)
Wolfgang did a great job in managing Chrysler's material cost management (MDM) teams. He drove the reuse initiative across the brands and established separate charters for product and component teams. It would be great to see him perform the same at Ford.
Kevin Reale - Research Director AMR Research
kreale@amrresearch.com
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Auto Parts Junkie 12:58AM (11/16/2006)
The truth is that what gives VW, or any other company for that matter, worth are its people. Every now and then there arises someone who makes more of a difference and contribution than most. It is the prerogative of that company then if it will come up with a fruitful symbiosis with the hand that feeds it or if it will let go.
VW, has a decision to make and this one they have to figure out fast.
They cannot ignore those who are eyeing their man as well.
The battle for the boss might have not yet even began...
Discount Import Car Parts at Auto Parts Place
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chris leavens 4:08PM (11/16/2006)
As a VW dealer in Canada we have high expectation for the future of VW in North America. These expectations are based on the leadership and product direction brought to us by Wolfgang. His departure would be a devistating blow to the moral of the North Amerian Volkswagen Dealer. I hope VW sees the importance of Wolfgang and does what ever it takes to keep him. We do not need Piech leading us back down the road of trying to sell cars that do not meet the market demand.
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Zoltan Petrasovits 6:45PM (11/30/2006)
Me brother buying new Jetta 1.9TDI, "just" 5 problem available:
Tire, Dor, Radio not receiving after 50km a radio area (big City area), tire not best just commers (hankook) not looking a buy before me car and more...
Answer after 2 days a buying: Ahhh...no problem, modify and repear a problem! Just 9 weeks lost, just me car, 3 repear, and all problem not modified! This is a real! Gratulations best her director! The critical are in Hungary! Yea: Plus, dor frame-table is lifting:( ....hhhhhmm! Good marketing? Good style? I dont now what is this, just I looking, not correct case!
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