Volkswagen has reportedly extended the contract of its China head, Ralf Brandstätter, by three years. The business daily “Handelsblatt” reports the decision, citing company insiders and confirmed by a spokesperson for the supervisory board. The extension, finalized during a supervisory board meeting last Friday, sees Brandstätter’s tenure now running until the end of July 2028.
Brandstätter has led Volkswagen’s China operations since 2022 and has initiated a significant restructuring program. His strategy has prioritized local production and development, emphasizing a “in China for China” approach alongside the cultivation of new strategic partnerships.
Despite these efforts, Volkswagen has been experiencing a decline in its market share within China’s crucial electric vehicle sector. Deliveries of electric vehicles in the first half of the year decreased by approximately one-third, a figure released by the company alongside its latest delivery data. Management, including China head Brandstätter and CEO Oliver Blume, anticipates that a new generation of electric vehicles, scheduled for availability in China starting in 2026, will address this challenge.