VW’s CEO Wants to Head the Group’s Performance, Luxury Brands

Volkswagen Group CEO Matthias Mueller tells Reuters he would like to head the company's Bentley, Bugatti and Porsche units when VW decentralizes its current management structure.

Mueller says the group cannot effectively manage its 12 brands through its current highly centralized system. He notes the group's management board wants to reorganize operations to encourage more coordinated product development and parts sharing among brands.

Mueller opines that a closer alliance between Bentley and Porsche "would be a logical step." He notes the next-generation Bentley Continental car will use the same "MSB" modular chassis developed for the Porsche Panamera sport sedan.

VW Group has more than doubled sales and almost tripled profits over the past eight years. But its margins lag those of key rivals, including Toyota Motor Corp.