Winterkorn Touts a “More Agile” VW

CEO Martin Winterkorn told some 10,000 Volkswagen Group employees the company will restructure to become more flexible and agile.

Winterkorn added that the group "must make its decision-making model fit for the future." He promises a new structure that strikes a balance between central management and "even more independence."

Winterkorn offered no specifics. Nor did he comment on media reports that the group will reorganize into four holding companies. The group is expected to present its plan in September.

Reports cite unnamed company sources who say the restructured groups and their leaders will be:

• SEAT-Skoda-VW: Herbert Diess, BMW's former product development chief
• Audi-Ducati-Lamgorghini: Rupert Stadler, currently Audi's CEO
• Bentley-Bugatti-Porsche: Matthias Mueller, currently Porsche's CEO
• MAN-Scania-VW commercial vehicles: Andreas Renschler, former head of manufacturing and procurement at Daimler's Mercedes-Benz Cars unit