Martorell, 27 November 2025 — The Volkswagen Group’s Brand Group Core (BGC)—encompassing Volkswagen, Škoda, SEAT & CUPRA and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles—is accelerating its strategic transformation with a sweeping reorientation of its global production network. Centred on a new Future Production Governance model, the initiative aims to strengthen efficiency, flexibility and competitiveness across 22 production locations.
A major pillar of this shift is the creation of new regional management structures and leadership roles, beginning with the Iberian Peninsula—one of the Group’s most important manufacturing regions.
A New Leadership Structure for a New Production Era
As of 1 January 2026, André Kleb, previously Head of Planning and Production Technology for the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand, will take on the newly created role of Chief Production Officer (CPO) for the Iberian Peninsula. In this cross-brand capacity, Kleb will oversee production and logistics across all Volkswagen Group facilities in Spain and Portugal.
His appointment marks the first implementation step of the BGC’s five-region production model, designed to decentralise decision-making while enhancing cooperation between brands. Kleb will report jointly to Christian Vollmer, Member of the Board of Management for Production & Logistics of the Volkswagen brand and Extended Group Executive Board member, and Markus Haupt, CEO of SEAT & CUPRA.
“With our new structure of five production regions, we are positioning ourselves more efficiently and flexibly, laying the groundwork for the next generation of production,” said Thomas Schäfer, CEO of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand and Head of the Brand Group Core. “This reorganisation is the beginning – with our new, cross-brand steering model, we intend to leverage further synergy effects and regional cost benefits, boosting the strength of the Brand Group Core.”
Strengthening Production Leadership in Wolfsburg and Portugal
Kleb’s move to head the Iberian region triggers further strategic changes within the Group’s production leadership.
New Head of Planning and Production Technology in Wolfsburg
Thomas Hegel Gunther, currently Managing Director and plant manager of Volkswagen Autoeuropa in Portugal, will succeed Kleb as Head of Planning and Production Technology for Volkswagen Passenger Cars in Wolfsburg. Having transformed Autoeuropa into one of Volkswagen’s most efficient production sites and overseen the successful ramp-up of the new T-Roc, Hegel Gunther now brings his expertise to the Group’s central planning hub.
“Now is the right time to benefit from Thomas Hegel Gunther’s expertise for the introduction of efficient production structures,” said Vollmer. “He will play a key role as the new Head of Planning and Production Technology.”
New Plant Manager at Autoeuropa
As of 1 March 2026, Anabel Andión Lomero, currently Head of the Pre-Series Center (VSC) at SEAT & CUPRA, will become Managing Director and plant manager of Volkswagen Autoeuropa. Andión brings deep expertise in cross-brand pre-series development, having been instrumental in establishing the VSC—the launchpad for the Volkswagen Group’s upcoming Electric Urban Car Family.
Her experience in the early phases of electrified model development positions her to drive Autoeuropa’s next chapter as the plant takes on new vehicle programmes.
Future Production Governance: A Blueprint for Global Competitiveness
The new BGC Future Production Governance framework represents a fundamental shift toward regional autonomy supported by strong central coordination. Its core objectives include:
- Lean, efficient processes enabled by high-performance central functions
- Increased regional independence and flexibility, allowing plants to respond faster to market and product changes
- Cross-brand synergies in planning, logistics, and production technology
- Strengthened competitiveness through harmonised standards and shared expertise across 22 global locations
This governance model is designed to support the Volkswagen Group’s ambitious electrification roadmap, particularly the launch of the Electric Urban Car Family—a key volume pillar for the brands within BGC.
“In production, we are consistently implementing the Brand Group Core approach and are now taking the next step,” Vollmer added. “Our steering model is the right structure for global networking and efficient local production. With his international experience, André Kleb meets all the requirements for guiding the Electric Urban Car Family and other vehicle projects to success.”
A More Agile, Future-Focused Production Network
By reshaping leadership roles and introducing regionally integrated management structures, the Brand Group Core is laying the foundation for a more agile production ecosystem—one capable of navigating intensifying global competition, technological change and the transition to electric mobility.
With this reorientation, Volkswagen’s volume brands are positioning themselves to deliver long-term, sustainable competitiveness while driving innovation and efficiency across every stage of the production cycle.
The transformation begins in the Iberian Peninsula, but its impact will ripple throughout the Group’s global network—reshaping how vehicles are planned, built and delivered for years to come.
