FRANKFURT, Reuters – Tesla’s (NASDAQ::) CEO Elon Musk addressed 200 Volkswagen executives (DE:), via video conference after being invited by Herbert Diess from Volkswagen. He wants to motivate VW’s top brass to make a quicker transition to electric cars.

The comments on Thursday by Musk to a VW managers gathering in Alpbach, Austria, confirmed by Diess via Twitter (NYSE:) https://twitter.com/Herbert_Diess/status/1449333401048293378 on Saturday after a report in Handelsblatt daily, included praise of VW for being an “icon” and Tesla’s greatest challenger, Handelsblatt said.

When asked by Diess about why Tesla is more agile than other companies, Musk replied it was because of his management style. Musk also stated that he is an engineer who has an eye on supply chains and logistics.

Diess posted on Linkedin that he invited Musk to be his “surprise guest”. This was in order to emphasize that VW requires faster decision-making and less bureaucracy in order for the largest transformation in its history.

Diess stated on Linkedin, “Happy to learn that even our strongest competitor believes that we can succeed in the transition if you drive the transformation with all power.”

Diess stated that Tesla was the best example of Tesla’s skill. It took him only 2 to 3 weeks to change software so that he could switch between one microchip type and another.

In a Saturday tweet, Diess stated that VW had emerged as the primary contender for Tesla’s global supremacy in electric vehicles and would keep its dialog with Tesla.

“We will be visiting you soon in Gruenheide,” said the CEO.

Last month, Diess warned that Tesla’s planned opening at Gruenheide, near Berlin of its first European car plant, would force the local economy to compete with the rapidly-growing U.S. electric automobile maker.

Tesla awaits final approval of the German 5.8 billion Euro ($6.8 Billion) building permit.

VW’s plan to construct six large European battery factories by 2030 is part of an all in bet on electric mobility.