Report: Gabriel Will Head Germany’s VDA

Germany’s Assn. of the Automotive Industry (VDA) is expected to name former foreign minister Sigmar Gabriel as its new president, sources tell Bild am Sonntag.

He served as foreign minister under Chancellor Angela Merkel’s administration until two years ago. He is a past chief minister of Lower Saxony, the home state for Volkswagen AG, and head of Ford Motor Co.’s business operations in Germany.

Gabriel would succeed Bernhard Mattes, who has held the post since March 2018. Mattes resigned unexpectedly during the VDA-sponsored Frankfurt auto show last month.