Volkswagen’s board has named Matthias Muller as the new CEO of the group in the wake of the ongoing emissions scandal, it has been revealed.
Muller is currently the chief executive of Porsche and will continue in this role until a successor “has been found”, an official statement said.
In a press conference, he said he is “grateful” to Volkswagen’s board for the confidence it has shown in him, and claimed he will do everything he can do to regain the public’s trust in the brand.
“This should never happen again,” he said.
Muller claimed there will be a new structure at the world’s largest car maker, where “problems are not hidden, but communicated” to the management.
Under Muller’s management, the company will introduce “even tougher compliance tests” to make VW “an even stronger company.”
“Being thorough is more important than speed,” he said, indicating it may take time to implement changes.
Muller also confirmed the Volkswagen Group would be split into four divisions: volume, premium, sport and commercial vehicles.
The volume division will include Volkswagen, Skoda and Seat
The group’s sporting division will consist of Porsche, Bentley and Bugatti. The sporting group will be responsible for “sports car and mid-engined platform development,” Muller said.
VW’s premium division meanwhile, will consist of Audi, Lamborghini and motorcycle brand Ducati.
The group’s commercial division will encapsulate all commercial vehicle and truck operations.
Bernd Osterloh, chairman of the group works council commented: “When it comes to leadership appointments the Volkswagen Group does not need hasty decisions. We know and value Matthias Müller for his determination and decisiveness. He does not work on his own, rather he is a team player. That is what Volkswagen needs now.”