On Friday, Porsche’s parent company, Volkswagen AG announced that Matthias Müller (Chairman and CEO of Porsche AG) has been appointed as VW’s Chairman. As most of you know, the VW position opened after Marten Winterkorn’s departure in the wake of the ongoing investigation into VW’s diesel engine emission scandal.
Some Background ON Matthias Müller
Born in Chmnitz (Saxony) the 62 year old Müller completed his high school education in Ignolstadt followed immediately by an apprenticeship as a toolmaker with AUDI AG. From there, he went on to study computer science at Munich Universtiy of Applied Sciences. Once he obtained his masters degree in computer science Müeller returned to Audi AG in 1978 and began his climb up the corporate ladder. In 1984 he was named Head of Systems Analysis Division and then Head of Project Management for the Audi A3 in 1993. In 1995 he was given responsibility for Product Management at Audi AG, SEAT and Lamborghini. Most of us came into contact with him in 2010 when we was named as Porsche’s CEO.
Most recently, before his ascension to the throne at VW, Müller was appointed as a member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG effective March 1, 2015. Now, as Volkswagen’s new chairman, his current contract as a Board member of Volkswagen AG will continue to apply in his new function as CEO.
To make things even more confusing, Müller will continue on in his role as Porsche’s Chairman until his successor can be found. This leads us back to the topic of this post. Who will be Porsche’s new CEO?
We know that Porsche likes to have a German in place, so who will they tap to fill Müeller’s shoes? After all, Porsche is their most profitable unit (and the most profitable car company in the world). Will it be an existing board member or executive? What about Detlev von Platen? As President and CEO of PCNA he’s head of Porsche’s largest single market he might make a good choice. Or, will they bring someone in from the outside? What say you?
