Volkswagen Group leadership and restructuring updates

Volkswagen Group is undergoing significant leadership transitions and a major corporate restructuring.

In North America, Marco Schubert will assume responsibility for regional operations on October 1, succeeding Kjell Gruner. This shift includes Martin Sander joining the Audi board.

Effective October 1, 2026, Martin Jahn will move from Škoda Auto to the Volkswagen brand board in Wolfsburg to oversee sales, marketing, and after-sales, while also being nominated for the Škoda Auto supervisory board. Martina Biene, currently CEO of Volkswagen Group Africa, is set to succeed Jahn on the Škoda Auto board for sales and marketing.

In South Africa, Christiane Zorn, currently Vice President Region Overseas at Porsche AG, will succeed Biene as the Chairperson and Managing Director of Volkswagen Group Africa. This transition occurs as the South African automotive market faces increased competition from Chinese brands.

As part of a broader global transformation program to reduce costs and address competition from the US and China, the company plans to cut approximately 50,000 jobs. To support this restructuring, Erika Rasch, formerly of Bosch, will join the management board as Chief Human Resources Officer on October 1, 2026.