Volkswagen strengthens sales and marketing in the Group
Volkswagen is reorganizing the Group’s sales and marketing structures, aligning the Company to growing internationalization and business development dynamics on the markets. “The continued shift in automobile markets towards new, fast-growing regions and constant expansion of the model range bring new opportunities for the sales, marketing and after sales business”, Christian Klingler, the Group Board Member for Sales and Marketing, commented. “We are aligning ourselves to this by optimizing existing structures and processes, thus laying the foundation for continued success going forward and significantly raising our capability and strength in sales and marketing.”
The new structure will be gradually phased in, starting from June 1, 2010. The measures focus on the central pillars of Group marketing, Group sales coordination, Group sales strategy, Group Fleet International, coordination of worldwide sales companies, genuine parts and service as well as the Volkswagen retail business.
Jonathan Browning (50) will be strengthening the Group’s international expertise. Browning held executive posts at several brands in the GM Group, most recently as Vice President Global Sales, Service and Marketing at GM. He directs the National Sales Companies (NSC) worldwide, thereby boosting the coordination of the international sales companies from his base in Wolfsburg. Luca de Meo (42), currently Executive Director Marketing Product and Communication at Volkswagen Passenger Cars, will additionally assume responsibility for Group Marketing. Fred Kappler (52) takes charge of Global Service Coordination and continues in his function as Head of Genuine Parts Sales. Holger B. Santel (41) retains responsibility for Group Sales Coordination. Own Retail operations are taken over by Peter Maiwald (49) and Henri Strübing (45) in addition to their managing director functions at Volkswagen Retail GmbH.