FRANKFURT – Volkswagen (DE)’s top board did not take a decision regarding Herbert Diess’s future as CEO at a meeting Tuesday. Two sources who are familiar with the matter stated that Wednesday was a day of rest for the committee, due to a dispute with prominent labour officials.

Although the final outcome is not known, Diess’s relationship with German unions remains a source of uncertainty.

As potential candidates for Diess’s successor, the following people have been mentioned in the past:

RALF BRANDSTAETTER 53

Since 2020, he has been the CEO of Volkswagen’s name brand. He succeeded Diess as group CEO.

– Member of Volkswagen’s management board in 1995, as well as the Volkswagen core brand’s management board in 2015.

Past postings included leadership positions at SEAT Spain

Sources say Brandstaetter might be named to Volkswagen’s management team, taking over from Diess the responsibility of the brand group for mass-market brands.

OLIVER BLUM, 53

Since 2015, Porsche AG CEO

– Volkswagen AG (OTC:) board member since April 2018

Prior postings at Audi and SEAT included positions as leaders

Porsche AG’s first nine-month operating profit margin was 15.5%. This represented 26% of Volkswagen AG’s total operating profit.

MARKUS DUESMANN, 52

Audi AG CEO, Volkswagen AG board member since 2020

He also manages Volkswagen’s luxurious brands Lamborghini and Ducati under Audi AG.

– On Volkswagen’s board, he is also responsible for the group’s research & development

Audi accounted for 28% in Volkswagen AG’s operating profits, which was the largest share among all divisions, during the nine month period 2021.

Previous leadership positions at BMW, Daimler-Chrysler, and Mercedes-Benz

THOMAS SCHMALL 57

– This year joined Volkswagen AG’s management team

Volkswagen Group Components CEO since 2019.

His responsibilities include the technology strategy for Volkswagen, which includes plans to construct six factories in Europe by 2030. He also oversees all aspects of charging and energy activities.

– Joined Volkswagen in 1991 with posts in Brazil, South Africa, Slovakia, and Mexico.