The designated Volkswagen-CEO Oliver Blume has the backing of the owner families Porsche and Piech. “Oliver Blume has enjoyed our express trust for many years,” said family spokesman Wolfgang Porsche and Hans Michel Piëch on Friday in a statement from VW umbrella holding company Porsche SE. “We are convinced that he will continue the successful development of the Volkswagen Group and vigorously implement the necessary measures.”
According to the families, Diess strategically geared the car company towards electromobility. “It is thanks to him that the Volkswagen Group is in a strong position for further transformation.”
The families hold the majority of votes in the VW group in Wolfsburg via the Stuttgart holding company Porsche SE.
Lower Saxony’s Prime Minister Weil expects “good cooperation” from Blume
Lower Saxony’s Prime Minister Stephan Weil, who represents the state as the second most important owner on the supervisory board, paid tribute to Diess. He gave the company the impetus for major new projects. Weil said of Blume: “I am confident that he will lead the Group with prudence and foresight in a team with the Executive Board, in good cooperation with the works council and with great respect for the employees.”
Daniela Cavall: Upheaval in the industry is difficult
The IG Metall chairman and deputy chairman of the supervisory board, Jörg Hofmann, emphasized that Volkswagen “must do justice not only to its role as a technological favorite but also as a social role model”. Works council chief Daniela Cavallo made a similar statement. The upheaval in the industry is difficult. VW must emerge stronger from it. “But it is also our aim that, despite the great challenges, job security and profitability remain equal corporate goals.”
Blume has been with the Group since 1994. He has also worked for Audi and seat. In 2015 he became head of the high-yield subsidiary Porsche. In 2018 he was given a seat on the Group Executive Board. The 54-year-old is an expert in production and has close contacts with both the Porsche/Piëch owner families and the employee representatives.