The impending leadership transition at Porsche is signaling a potential shift in power dynamics within the Volkswagen Group, raising questions about the future of brand representation at the highest levels of corporate governance. According to reports from “Der Spiegel”, Michael Leiters, Porsche’s designated successor to Oliver Blume, will not be joining the Volkswagen Group’s board of directors, a departure from the precedent set by his predecessor.
Previously, Oliver Blume, during his tenure as sole Porsche CEO, held a crucial seat on the board, effectively representing both Porsche and the broader portfolio of Volkswagen’s luxury and sports car brands. This responsibility is now slated for distribution across the entire board, a move suggesting a broader decentralization of decision-making.
The decision aligns with Blume’s long-held ambition to streamline the current eight-member Volkswagen board. This body, traditionally comprising both functional executives like CFO Arno Antlitz and influential brand chiefs such as Volkswagen CEO Thomas Schäfer and Audi CEO Gernot Döllner, has been viewed by some as overly bloated and prone to internal power struggles. Reducing the board size could aim to foster quicker, more decisive action and potentially alleviate tensions arising from competing brand priorities.
Friday’s announcement that Blume will relinquish his Porsche CEO role next year, while remaining at the helm of Volkswagen, further underscores this strategic realignment. While seemingly a smooth transition, it also highlights a potential reduction in the direct influence wielded by the Porsche brand within the Volkswagen Group’s decision-making process. The move raises questions as to whether Porsche will retain the same level of leverage in guiding the conglomerate’s future direction under Leiters’ leadership, particularly regarding strategies related to electrification and the ongoing integration of various brands. The absence of a direct Porsche representative at the board level may ultimately reshape the group’s strategic compass.