Thomas Schafer has been named Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Volkswagen brand effective April 1, 2022. Schafer will subsequently take over as Chairman of the Volkswagen brand with effect from July 1, 2022 and will also join the Group Board of Management as the member responsible for the ‘Volume’ Brand Group.

Ralf Brandstatter will continue to serve as Volkswagen CEO until June 30, 2022, subsequently taking responsibility for the Group Board of Management’s China Division effective August 1, 2022. Brandstatter and Schafer will prepare for the seamless handover of CEO responsibilities during the transition period from April to July.

Schafer will initially continue to serve as Chairman of the Skoda Auto brand in addition to his function as COO. Thomas Schafer joined the Volkswagen Group in 2012, initially heading the Group’s International Production unit, where he held responsibility for CKD projects and negotiations on new production sites. He became Chairman and Managing Director of Volkswagen Group South Africa in 2015 and was responsible for Volkswagen’s business in South Africa and the development of the Group brands in the sub-Saharan Africa region. Schafer was appointed Chairman of the Board of Management of Skoda Autoin August 2020.

Klaus Zellmer, appointed CEO of Skoda Auto, effective July 1.

Klaus Zellmer, who is currently the Volkswagen brand Board member responsible for Sales, Marketing and After Sales hass been appointed as the new CEO of Skoda Auto with effect from July 1, 2022. Zellmer succeeds Thomas Schafer, who will step down as Chairman of the Board of Skoda Auto at the end of June.