Pablo Di Si, CEO of Volkswagen Group and Volkswagen Brand for North America, has resigned. The German automaker announced the news on Tuesday, although it is not clear exactly when he resigned. In a press release, VW stated that Di Si “resigned his position at his own request”.
Di Si’s departure is effective immediately. Gerrit Spengler, currently Chief Human Resources Officer of VW Group of America, will serve as interim CEO until December 12. Then Dr. Kjell Gruner takes over as the new boss for the North American operations, managing both the Volkswagen brand and the VW Group.
Photo by: Peter Holderith / Motor1
If that name sounds familiar, it should. Gruner was previously the CEO of Porsche North America and took on the role in 2020. He left Porsche for Rivian in 2023, although he resigned from the electric brand earlier this year. Previously, he was Global Chief Marketing Officer of Porsche for ten years. In short, he has some familiarity with the VW family.
“We would like to thank Pablo Di Si, who, together with his local team, has made a lasting contribution to strengthening our group’s American regions,” said Arno Antlitz, Chief Financial and Operating Officer of VW Group. “With Kjell Gruner we have brought on board an experienced expert who knows the market and customers very well and who will consistently follow the growth path we have taken.”
Weeks ago, speculation arose that VW might look for a replacement for Di Si. German news outlets claimed that the ex-CEO took some of the blame for poor decisions regarding the US market. Ironically, the US market is almost the only region where the company is doing well. VW sales have increased by more than 7 percent in the first three quarters of 2024 compared to last year. VW Group sales also rose in the region, albeit by a smaller 1.5 percent.
A VW spokesperson declined further comment Engine1 about the details of the dismissal.
Di Si’s resignation comes amid serious financial problems at VW that could ultimately lead to mass layoffs and factory closures in the company’s home market of Germany – something that has not happened in VW’s history.