Volkswagen has promoted its electric-vehicle chief Joerge Sommer to vice president, product marketing and strategy of Volkswagen of America, hinting that Europe's largest vehicle maker is likely to more aggressively pursue electric-drive vehicle sales within its US operations. Sommer will be in charge of US product pricing, in addition to electromobility and other operations, the company says. He'd previously served as VW's head of group electric mobility.
Prior to joining VW, Sommer had been Renault's brand director for electric vehicles and before that had stints with Daimler and General Motors. As for VW, the company unveiled what it said was the first production version of its E-Up! electric vehicle earlier this year, though hasn't yet announced plans for North American sales. That model gets a 93-mile single-charge range from its 18.7-kWh lithium-ion battery pack and an 84-mile-per-hour top speed. Read VW's press release below.
Prior to joining VW, Sommer had been Renault's brand director for electric vehicles and before that had stints with Daimler and General Motors. As for VW, the company unveiled what it said was the first production version of its E-Up! electric vehicle earlier this year, though hasn't yet announced plans for North American sales. That model gets a 93-mile single-charge range from its 18.7-kWh lithium-ion battery pack and an 84-mile-per-hour top speed. Read VW's press release below.
VOLKSWAGEN APPOINTS JOERG SOMMER AS VICE PRESIDENT, PRODUCT MARKETING AND STRATEGY
07.23.2013 , Herndon, VA
Volkswagen of America today announced the appointment of Joerg Sommer, 47, to the post of Vice President, Product Marketing and Strategy, for the Volkswagen brand. Sommer replaces Rainer Michel, who will repatriate to Germany to an engineering position within the Volkswagen Group.
In this role, Sommer is responsible for ensuring that Volkswagen continues to offer a highly competitive product lineup which appeals to a broad range of customers. In addition, Sommer is responsible for powertrain strategy, connectivity integration, e-Mobility solutions, as well as pricing strategy for the entire U.S. product portfolio for the brand.
"We are thrilled to welcome Joerg to the Volkswagen of America management team," said Jonathan Browning, President and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. "Joerg brings extensive experience, technical background, and enthusiasm for the brand as we prepare for the next phase of growth. At the same time, we would like to extend our gratitude to Rainer for his contributions to Volkswagen and his efforts to help grow the brand in the U.S."
Sommer was most recently the Head of Group Electric Mobility, Sales and Marketing for Volkswagen AG. Prior to joining Volkswagen, Sommer worked for Renault in Paris, France, where he served as Brand Director for Electric Vehicles and full-size vehicle platforms. His previous experience includes various product strategy and marketing positions with DaimlerChrysler and General Motors Europe/Adam Opel AG. Sommer earned a Master of Mechanical Engineering and Business Administration from the Technical University in Berlin. In addition, Sommer earned a Master of Business Administration from the Sloan School of Management at MIT.
About Volkswagen of America, Inc.
Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc., an operating unit of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VWoA) is headquartered in Herndon, Virginia. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. VWoA's operations in the United States include research and development, parts and vehicle processing, parts distribution centers, sales, marketing and service offices, financial service centers, and its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The Volkswagen Group is one of the world's largest producers of passenger cars and Europe's largest automaker. VWoA sells the Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Eos, Golf, Golf R, GTI, Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, Passat, CC, Tiguan, Touareg, and Routan vehicles through approximately 620 independent U.S. dealers.
07.23.2013 , Herndon, VA
Volkswagen of America today announced the appointment of Joerg Sommer, 47, to the post of Vice President, Product Marketing and Strategy, for the Volkswagen brand. Sommer replaces Rainer Michel, who will repatriate to Germany to an engineering position within the Volkswagen Group.
In this role, Sommer is responsible for ensuring that Volkswagen continues to offer a highly competitive product lineup which appeals to a broad range of customers. In addition, Sommer is responsible for powertrain strategy, connectivity integration, e-Mobility solutions, as well as pricing strategy for the entire U.S. product portfolio for the brand.
"We are thrilled to welcome Joerg to the Volkswagen of America management team," said Jonathan Browning, President and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. "Joerg brings extensive experience, technical background, and enthusiasm for the brand as we prepare for the next phase of growth. At the same time, we would like to extend our gratitude to Rainer for his contributions to Volkswagen and his efforts to help grow the brand in the U.S."
Sommer was most recently the Head of Group Electric Mobility, Sales and Marketing for Volkswagen AG. Prior to joining Volkswagen, Sommer worked for Renault in Paris, France, where he served as Brand Director for Electric Vehicles and full-size vehicle platforms. His previous experience includes various product strategy and marketing positions with DaimlerChrysler and General Motors Europe/Adam Opel AG. Sommer earned a Master of Mechanical Engineering and Business Administration from the Technical University in Berlin. In addition, Sommer earned a Master of Business Administration from the Sloan School of Management at MIT.
About Volkswagen of America, Inc.
Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc., an operating unit of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VWoA) is headquartered in Herndon, Virginia. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. VWoA's operations in the United States include research and development, parts and vehicle processing, parts distribution centers, sales, marketing and service offices, financial service centers, and its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The Volkswagen Group is one of the world's largest producers of passenger cars and Europe's largest automaker. VWoA sells the Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Eos, Golf, Golf R, GTI, Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, Passat, CC, Tiguan, Touareg, and Routan vehicles through approximately 620 independent U.S. dealers.
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