VW Replaces Production Chief Macht

Volkswagen Group's top manufacturing executive, Michael Macht, has abruptly resigned a day after the company announced a 3% drop in operating profits.

Thomas Ulbrich, who heads production for the VW brand, has stepped in to handle Macht's duties until the company finds a permanent replacement.

Macht is a former head of production for Porsche AG who later left his job as that company's CEO nearly four years ago to join VW Group's management board. He has had responsibility for all production operations.

Macht is credited with launching the company's cost-saving "MQB" front-drive modular platform across multiple brands and models. The company has predicted that 4 million units of annual output eventually will ride on a version of the MQB architecture.

Reports say the VW brand continues to struggle implementing MQB at its giant factory in Wolfsburg. Analysts describe the ultra-flexible chassis as key to the company's intent to improve profit margins.