New CEO Diess Vows Faster Decision-Making at VW

Herbert Diess, installed on Thursday as CEO of Volkswagen AG, says he will accelerate the company’s decision-making process and reconsider asset sales of noncore businesses.

“We will review all options,” Diess tells reporters. Last year VW considered shedding its Ducati motorcycle and Renk military transmission units but took no action at the time.

Diess, who will continue to head the company’s VW brand, says his operational duties for the unit will be turned over to a yet-to-be-named chief operating officer, a new position.

He also emphasizes that is mission will be to accelerate—not replace—the programs former CEO Mathias Mueller launched over the past three years to reduce costs, improve efficiency and move the VW Group into electrified powertrains, vehicle connectivity and self-driving technologies.