— Tensions at the top of Volkswagen over an attempt to radically transform the world’s largest carmaker has spilt over into the public, with the CEO taking a public swipe at his opponents within the company.
“When I took office in Wolfsburg, I had firmly resolved to change the VW system,” Diess wrote on Friday in Handelsblatt. “That means breaking up old, encrusted structures and making the company more agile and modern. Together, with many companions, with the same level of motivation, I have succeeded in doing this in many places, but not in some, especially not yet at our corporate headquarters in Wolfsburg.
The comment about persistent inefficiencies at VW’s headquarters echoes remarks supervisory board member Wolfgang Porsche made at the Geneva International Motor Show last year, which disgruntled labour representatives. In a rare moment of candour, the leader of VW’s reclusive owner family criticised the amount of sway unions has over the company.ch,” referring to Wolfgang Porsche’s deceased cousin who shaped the industrial giant over two decades as CEO and chair.
Diess has mounted an aggressive push into EVs that analysts see becoming a competitive advantage, but his hard-nosed management style has ruffled feathers across the organisation. He joined VW from BMW five years ago and pushed aside several executives in a sweeping shake-up of management this summer.