Pablo Di Si, CEO of the Volkswagen Group and the Volkswagen brand for North America, has resigned. The German automaker announced the news on Tuesday, although it was not known exactly when he left office. In a press release, VW said that Mr. Di Si “left his position at his own request.”
Mr. Di Si’s departure takes effect immediately. Gerrit Spengler, currently director of human resources at VW Group of America, will act in the interim until December 12. Kjell Gruner will then become the new boss of North American operations, in charge of both the Volkswagen brand and the VW group.
Photo by: Peter Holderith / Motor1
If this name sounds familiar, it should. Mr. Gruner was previously CEO of Porsche North America, a position he held in 2020. He left Porsche for Rivian in 2023, although he resigned from the electric brand earlier this year. Before that, he spent 10 years as Porsche’s global marketing director. In short, he knows the VW family well.
“We would like to thank Pablo Di Si who, together with his local team, has made a lasting contribution to strengthening the American regions of our group,” said Arno Antlitz, Chief Financial and Operational Officer of the VW Group. “In Kjell Gruner, we have recruited an experienced expert who knows the market and customers very well and who will continue to consistently pursue the growth path we are committed to. »
A few weeks ago, speculation arose that VW could seek Di Si replacement. German media claimed that the ex-CEO was partly responsible for poor decisions regarding the US market. Paradoxically, the American market is practically the only region where the company is doing well. VW’s sales in the first three quarters of 2024 increased by more than 7% compared to last year. VW Group sales are also growing in the region, although at a lower rate of 1.5%.
A VW spokesperson declined to comment further. Engine1 regarding the details of the resignation.
Mr. Di Si’s resignation comes amid serious financial difficulties for VW, which could lead to mass layoffs and factory closures in Germany, the company’s home market, which is unlikely to happen. is never produced in VW history.
What strategies do you think the new CEO Kjell Gruner should focus on to ensure Volkswagen remains competitive in the North American automotive market?
Welcome, Guests! Thank you for joining us today on World Today News. Let’s start by discussing the recent resignation of Pablo Di Si, CEO of Volkswagen Group and the Volkswagen brand for North America. Mr. Di Si’s departure has come as a surprise to many. Can you provide us with your thoughts on this news and its implications for the company?
Guest 1: Personally, I find this news quite surprising given the success Volkswagen has been experiencing in the North American market. It’s unusual for a CEO to step down in the midst of such growth. However, I can understand that there might have been some pressure behind the scenes that we’re not aware of. As for the implications, it remains to be seen who will take over and how they’ll continue to lead the company forward.
Guest 2: Absolutely. It’s clear that Volkswagen is facing challenges globally, so perhaps this was an internal decision to bring in new leadership to navigate those waters. It’s also interesting to see that Mr. Di Si’s replacement, Kjell Gruner, has a strong background with both VW and Porsche. This suggests that the company is looking for someone with a deep understanding of the automotive industry and the North American market.
Host: That’s an interesting point. The article also mentions that Mr. Di Si’s departure wasn’t entirely unexpected, with some speculation that he might have played a role in some poor decisions regarding the US market. Can you expand on that?
Guest 1: Yes, there were rumors that Pablo Di Si made some missteps when it came to product planning and marketing in North America. Perhaps VW saw the need for a fresh perspective, someone who could help refine those strategies and ensure that the company continues to grow in this important region.
Guest 2: That’s true. The timing of the announcement is also important to note. With the constant changes in the automotive industry, particularly with electric vehicles and autonomous driving, it’s possible that VW felt it needed to make this change sooner rather than later. Bringing in someone like Kjell Gruner, who has experience with both EVs and the US market, could position Volkswagen well for the future.
Host: Moving on, we have
