And It Keeps Getting Worse: Volkswagen Considers Running North America Operations From CHINA!

Volkswagen apparently has a bit of a problem finding a leader for its North American business. The gentle  reader will remember that Winfried Vahland, the man who was picked for the job, threw in the towel before he could get started. To this day, the slot remains unfilled. Now we hear that the North American Region could be headed by a manager in China.

Explosive dispatches are transmitted by Volkswagen’s hallway radio. Volkswagen’s high-level rumor mill says that Volkswagen CEO Matthias Mueller thinks of giving the North America job to his China chief Jochem Heizmann – on a part-time basis. According to the hallway radio, Heizmann would keep his China job and his office in Beijing’s Sanlitun – if the plan is approved.

PUGPROUD - 10/22/2015 4:09:15 PM

+4 Boost

VW has run the North American business into the ground so why not run it from China!

MDarringer - 10/22/2015 7:36:28 PM

+1 Boost

Given the obvious product similarities in the US and Chinese markets, it would make LOADS of sense to harmonize the models in the two markets.

A/B/C segment hatchbacks
B/C/D segment sedans
B/C/D/E segment crossovers
pickup
cargo vehicles
sports coupe

Socalcarnut - 10/22/2015 8:06:26 PM

+2 Boost

The Chinese probably understand the North American market and U.S. culture even less than the Germans do...so this will be big trouble. At least the Germans have experience selling cars in the U.S. and with that comes some knowledge. The Chinese have to learn the North American market, culture and customs in addition to a significant language barrier.

Vette71 - 10/22/2015 11:51:45 PM

0 Boost

Ahh, the guy running VW China is German, and not Chinese. It is about product similarities.