VW Group names Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann run EV programs

Like most other automakers, Volkswagen is ramping up its electrification efforts and part of that is putting someone in charge. VW announced today that it has hired Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann for the newly-created slot of Group Chief Officer for Electric Traction. Neumann, who was most recently chairman of supplier Continental, will report directly to VW Chairman and CEO Dr. Martin Winterkorn. During Neumann's tenure at Continental, that company also continued its efforts to get into the electric drive field by supplying lithium ion batteries, electric motors and generators and power electronics systems. Prior to his time at Continental, Neumann worked at VW heading up electronics research.

Volkswagen is currently testing the Golf Twin Drive plug-in hybrid and the production Touareg Hybrid will be launched in early 2010. The automaker's first full battery electric vehicle is expected to be based on the eUp! concept that debuted at Frankfurt Motor Show.

[Source: Volkswagen]


PRESS RELEASE:

Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann appointed Group Chief Officer for Electric Traction and General Representative

Prof. Winterkorn: Field of innovation to be systematically further developed

Wolfsburg, 11 November 2009 - The Supervisory Board of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft has appointed Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann (48) as the Group Chief Officer for Electric Traction with effect from December 1, 2009 and made him a General Representative. In the newly-created function of Group Chief Officer, he reports direct to the Chairman of the Board of Management, Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn.

Winterkorn commented: "Electric traction is a crucial technology for the Volkswagen Group and offers enormous potential. Dr. Neumann is a top-class expert on our industry and in this field. He will be instrumental in supporting our company to systematically further develop this particular area of innovation."

Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann studied electrical engineering at the universities of Dortmund and Duisburg and was awarded his doctorate in this discipline. His research work at Fraunhofer Institut in Duisburg from 1989 to 1993 specialized in vehicle electronics. He subsequently moved to Motorola Semiconductor as an engineer and head of strategy for the automotive industry. Neumann joined the Volkswagen Group in Wolfsburg in 1999 where he headed electronics research and electronics strategy, later also assuming responsibility for electrics/electronics at the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand, before becoming a member of the Executive Board, Automotive Systems Division, at Continental AG. Neumann was Chairman of the Executive Board of Continental AG from August 2008 to September 2009.