Berlin — Herbert Diess, who was chosen to lead Volkswagen after an expensive and embarrassing diesel emission scandal and take the company into the era of electricity, has resigned. A giant car maker said on Friday he would leave at the end of August without giving a reason for his departure.
According to the company’s board of auditors, he will be taken over by Porsche CEO Oliver Blume on September 1.
“Herbert Diess played a key role in driving the transformation of the company,” said Hans Dieter Petch, chairman of the board, in a statement, driving the company’s transition to electric vehicles. I thank Mr. Diess.
Hours before the announcement is made late Friday afternoon in Germany, Mr. Dies, 63, Post to him Social media channels thank VW employees for their work earlier this year and wish them a good vacation. He did not mention his imminent departure.
“After the really stressful first half of 2022, many of us are looking forward to a natural summer vacation,” he said.
Mr. Dies’ future at Volkswagen has been questioned many times during his four-year term as Chief Executive Officer. Last fall, he clashed with the company’s strong labor-management council on his electrification strategy and management style. He often pointed out Tesla, an all-electric vehicle maker that recently opened an assembly plant outside Berlin, as a future model for VW. This is a move that has disturbed some veterans.
