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Volkswagen CEO Mueller Likely to Be Replaced by VW Brand Boss Diess

Mueller helped company weather diesel scandal, but Diess seen as change agent.

by on Apr.11, 2018

Prior to being tapped to head VW after its diesel scandal broke, Matthias Mueller ran Porsche.

Volkswagen Group CEO Matthias Mueller is expected to be forced out at a management meeting Friday, with VW brand boss Herbert Diess expected to replace him, according to reports out of Germany.

The shake-up, which has apparently been in the works for months, has the blessing of some of VW’s top shareholders, as well as its chairman and powerful labor chief. It will mark the most extensive management moves since shortly after the automaker’s diesel emissions scandal broke in September 2015.

Global Business News!

VW issued a short statement noting it is considering “a further development of the management structure of the group which would also be associated with personnel changes in the board of management.” The statement hinted that changes under study “could include” the naming of a new CEO, adding that Mueller himself “showed his willingness to contribute,” suggesting the 64-year-old executive might voluntarily step aside rather than fight to retain his post. He is currently under a contract set to continue through 2020.

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Posted in Auto Shows, Automakers, Automobiles, Business, EVs, Earnings, Electrified Vehicles, Europe, Executives, Financials, Frankfurt, Investors, Markets, Personalities, Porsche, SUVs, Sales, Technology, U.S./North America, Volkswagen | No Comments »

First Look: Porsche Mission E Cross Turismo

Mission E battery-car takes on a new SUV shape.

by on Mar.06, 2018

The Porsche Mission E Cross Turismo is just a "study" for now, but expect a production version to follow.

Few marques have been more willing to buck tradition than Porsche. True, performance is the brand’s hallmark, but starting with the launch of the original Cayenne SUV, the Stuttgart-based carmaker has repeatedly pushed beyond its comfort zone.

As radical as a Porsche SUV might once have seemed, however, that was nowhere near as radical as the decision to launch an all-electric sports car, the Mission E barely than a year away from production. And, as we learned today at the Geneva Motor Show, that battery sports car is likely to soon have a companion in the form of Mission E Cross Turismo.

Product News!

‘The Mission E Cross Turismo is an expression of how we envision the all-electric future. It combines sportiness and everyday practicality in unique style,” said Porsche AG CEO Oliver Blume. “Our vehicle will be fast to drive, but also quick to recharge and able to replicate its performance time after time.”

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Posted in Auto Shows, Automakers, Automobiles, Concept Cars, EVs, Electrified Vehicles, Environment, First Look, Frankfurt, Geneva, Hybrids, Luxury Vehicles, Porsche, SUVs, Sports Cars, Technology, Tesla, Trends | Comments Off

Alcantara Gaining Ground on Inside of Autos

Luxury material making gains on leather in vehicle interiors.

by on Dec.19, 2017

Inside the new Panamera is covered in Alcantara, one of many high-end vehicle's using the material.

Alcantara, the Italian maker of material finding its way into more and more luxury vehicles, has tripled its sales since the recession and is adding more capacity at its home base in Italy, according to the company’s chairman and chief executive Andrea Boragno.

Boragno said Alcantara’s Italian manufacturing base is a vital part of its character and its broad appeal to a growing list of carmakers such as Alfa Romeo, Lexus, Lincoln, Nissan and Volkswagen.

Product News!

“The growing appeal of Alcantara is one of the reasons why we have announced a five-year investment program totaling 300 Euros million in order to double the company’s overall production capacity,” Boragno said. (more…)

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Posted in Alfa Romeo, Audi, BMW, Frankfurt, Lexus, Luxury Vehicles, Maserati, Nissan, Porsche, Sports Cars, U.S./North America, Volkswagen | Comments Off