Dive Brief:
- Volkswagen Group has appointed Ludwig Fazel as its new head of group and product strategy effective Dec. 1, the automaker announced in a Nov. 28 press release.
- Fazel reports directly to CEO Oliver Blume in the new role. He previously served dual roles as COO of Volkswagen Group Components and head of strategy and platform business at Volkswagen Group Technology.
- In the release, Volkswagen said that Fazel brings a deep understanding of the company’s technology and global production network, and played a key role in transforming the automaker’s components business.
Dive Insight:
In his previous role at Volkswagen, Fazel was also responsible for the automaker’s global production network that employs roughly 65,000 workers. He also played a key role in the sale of vehicle platforms and components to external partners, including Ford Motor Co. and India-based automaker Mahindra, per the release.
Fazel also led the strategic direction of Volkswagen's technology division, which included components, its battery subsidiary PowerCo, as well as the automaker’s charging and energy businesses.
“I am pleased that Ludwig Fazel, an experienced strategist, will take over this important role,” Blume said in a statement. “He has repeatedly demonstrated that he is able to successfully advance a core area of our company in challenging environments — both operationally and strategically. I am confident that we will successfully tackle the tasks ahead together."
Fazel succeeds Stefan Weckbach, who resigned from the company.
"We would like to thank Stefan Weckbach for his strong commitment over the past years,” Blume said in a statement. “With his expertise, he has driven key future projects such as Scout and our joint venture with Rivian and played a decisive role in positioning Volkswagen as the Global Automotive Tech Driver.”
Volkswagen is currently working to boost revenue while the automaker executes its long-term electrification plans. The company reported an operating loss of €1.3 billion ($1.5 billion) in Q3, citing U.S. tariffs and ongoing restructuring costs for the decline.
As part of its future product strategy, Volkswagen is currently co-developing a zonal architecture and vehicle platform for its future software-defined vehicles as part of its joint venture with Rivian. Each company will utilize the platfrom, including VW’s luxury brand Audi and electric truck maker Scout.
Since the joint venture was founded in November 2024, the two partners have built a global development team of more than 1,500 employees, per a Nov. 12 press release.
“Every step toward achieving our ambitious goals is being executed with determination and clear focus,” Blume said in a statement last month when the automaker shared an update on the joint venture’s progress.
