Winterkorn’s first major performance after disassembly by Piëch – Hamburger Evening Gazette

  14:04:15
 
 

 

Heiko Lossie

 VW CEO meets in the middle of a power struggle Merkel at the Hannover Messe

                 Wolfsburg. A set of only 28 letters was enough to lift the world of the Volkswagen Group from its hinges. Ferdinand Piëch, major shareholder and chairman of the board at VW dismantled with the statement “I am to distance Winterkorn,” the chief executive of the largest European car manufacturer. Outwardly unfazed by the criticism graduated from Martin Winterkorn on Monday his appearance at the Hannover Messe. Without apparent unconcern, he presented Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi one built on the subcontinent VW. It was winter grain second public appearance since the scandal – the night before he had attended a VIP reception. When asked about his future, he only said: “There is one.” He would not have been chasing the farm, reportedly from his environment – such as in the conflict situation now is

What does Piëch’s attack So far fit – at least in the public eye – no sheet between Piëch and his “protégé” Winterkorn. The duo led the Twelve kingdom VW brand as rehearsed tandem. However Piëch with short sentences, conveyed through the media, already completed several managers careers. Rashness is not his thing. VW is out taut. Piëch’s word is law, at least so far. The Porsche-VW-grandchildren and major shareholder is considered the VW center of power. The trust Piëch in Winterkorn now seems to be shaken. The motives for action Piëch however, are unknown. Speculation on objective factors such as VW problems in the important US market or in excess of weakness of the core VW brand, but also personal reasons – for example, that Winterkorn Piëch has become too powerful and confident.

What say Winterkorn’s supporters?
Since all preceded the mighty VW group works council boss Bernd Osterloh. He is simply put for the employee side of the Supervisory Board and thus for half of the 20 seats of the supervisory body that decides on Winterkorn future. “We have a clear position on nothing has changed: We have with Dr. Winterkorn most successful automotive manager on board,” Osterloh said. The records collection under his aegis is unprecedented. “If it were up to us, his contract will be extended beyond 2016.” The state of Lower Saxony cast as VW-anchor shareholder two board seats. Prime Minister Stephen Weil, with Economy Minister Olaf Lies (both SPD) is on the board, said: “I am unpleasantly surprised about the statements quoted by Professor Piëch.” The debate over the tops of VW he considered “harmful”.

If Piëch there alone?
This sets the statement of his cousin Wolfgang Porsche and VW supervisory board at least close: “The testimony of Dr. Piëch is his personal opinion, which is not synchronized in their objective with the family.” The clan Porsche / Piëch owns the majority of VW. Thus, a conflict is characterized also by the owner families from.

How to go from here? The location at VW is tricky, a solution not in sight. The Group could restless weeks. In the VW supervisory board meeting on May 4, it should go hand internal high. A day later, the VW Annual General Meeting – then Winterkorn and Piëch families must work together on stage

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