That was quick! Volkswagen CEO Matthias Muller was ousted swiftly on the 12th of April, after just two-and-a-half years at the top. Muller had been taking the heat for the diesel scandal, and has steered the VW Group through some pretty stormy waters while delivering impressive numbers. He’s now succeeded by Herbert Diess, a former BMW executive known for his no-nonsense management style.
Muller was guilty of a number of gaffes. A few months ago, he called for the end of diesel “subsidies” in Germany (in fact, diesels are not subsidized, but the fuel is taxed slightly less than petrol in Germany). The remarks were not taken kindly by his colleagues in the German auto industry. It was Volkswagen, after all, whose cheating had put diesel in a bad position in the first place. As a result, the entire industry is suffering, and at a loss for how to comply with upcoming emissions and consumption requirements.
Most recently, Muller likened pay caps for executives to measures by Communist East Germany – a politically charged statement in a society that’s focused on equality.
Herbert Diess, who replaces Muller, had seemed to be on his way out of VW just a year ago, when he criticised the mighty labour unions. But he has since become closer with Bernd Osterloh, head of VW’s labour council. The peace, however, is unlikely to last – as few auto executives are as cost-driven as Diess.
And while Diess is a petrolhead who initiated the awesome S1000 RR superbike during his time at BMW, he has since become a proponent of electric mobility – leading efforts to bring a family of all-electric VW models to market under the ‘ID’ moniker.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة May 2018 من autoX.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة May 2018 من autoX.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
POWER WASH
The Dylect UltraClean high-pressure washer is perfect choice for those obsessed with keeping their vehicle showroom fresh.
GRIPPING REPORT
After experiencing TVS Eurogrip Roadhound's performance on the race track, we put them through their paces on the road.
MAKE OR BREAK!
Carlos Sainz ended Max Verstappen's win streak yet again. The driver without a seat in 2025 is giving it his all and then some!
NEW DAWN
What does Liberty Media's MotoGP takeover mean for the sport's future?
FOCUS MODE
BMW has introduced a more aggressive avatar of the iX, and we test its temper.
BRAVE & BOLD
If you like the idea of making others feel intimidated as your car appears in their rearview mirror, look no further.
SINGLE NOT READY TO Mingle?
Volvo has introduced the XC40 with a single-motor setup. But does this mean that it's only half the fun and half the experience? Let's find out...
URBAN RACER
Expanding its performance portfolio, Hyundai has launched the new Creta N Line. So, is this the hot sauce needed for the perfect Creta sandwich? We take a bite and find out!
The Price of Nostalgia
Kawasaki's W175 is a low-cost motorcycle that evokes the nostalgia of no-nonsense riding, but does it offer enough to be relevant in the modern world?
easy DOES IT
Getting a motorcycle right is complicated, because motorcyclists themselves are complicated. But the Jawa 350 might have cracked the code.