Earlier this month Volkswagen announced the departure of Chairman and Managing Director of VWSA, Thomas Schaefer. Mr Schaefer joined ŠKODA Auto as the new Global CEO at the beginning of August 2020.
Now Volkswagen has sadly announced that Martina Biene, head of the Volkswagen Brand will also be moving back to Germany after working in South Africa for less than two years. Biene will be taking up the position of Head of G1 Baureihe (Product Management of A0 cars) from 1 September 2020 and will be reporting directly to the recently appointed Volkswagen Brand CEO Ralf Brandstätter.
“Martina’s appointment is testimony to her talent and skill and whilst we are disappointed that she is leaving us, we wish her everything of the best for the next chapter in her career,” Mike Glendinning, Sales and Marketing Director, Volkswagen Group South Africa.
During Martina’s tenure which commenced from 1 October 2018, she integrated into local society and embraced the South African automotive market and cultures that go along with it. Since then Volkswagen’s market share steadily increased to where in 2019 a 20.4 per cent share was recorded, the highest since 1996. Volkswagen SA will communicate once a successor has been selected.
“Martina’s stewardship of the Volkswagen Brand during her relatively short tenure has been excellent. She has made a positive impact with regard to strategy development especially on topics like digitalization, connectivity and other future-orientated aspects of our business,” concluded Glendinning.
