VW Group Assigns Brands to Manage Geographic Regions

Volkswagen AG is assigning a lead brand to oversee each of its major geographic regions in a bid to make the company more efficient.

The group will retain control activities in China. But under the new scheme, the VW brand will take responsibility for North America, South America and the southern half of Africa. Audi will coordinate the Middle East and Asia Pacific outside China. Skoda will oversee Russia and India.

VW says the new structure will help the company better coordinate local partnerships and tailor model ranges to regional market and customer needs.