VW’s CEO Martin Winterkorn Officially Quits Saying Fresh Start Needed
By Paulo Acoba
VW’s Head Honcho submitted his resignation earlier today
You’d think that the CEO of an automaker involved in one of the biggest scandals to hit the automotive world since the GM ignition debacle would kindly step down and let someone else deal with the problem, and that’s exactly what Martin Winterkorn did. According to Martin Winterkorn in his own words earlier today, (Sept. 23, 2015) “As CEO I accept responsibility for the irregularities that have been found in diesel engines and have therefore requested the Supervisory Board to agree on terminating my function as CEO of the Volkswagen Group.”
In his defense, there is incomplete information at this time that links CEO Winterkorn to directly to the scandal. For all we know, he may have had very little to do with the entire situation. If one of your departments screws up you don’t go firing the head of the company. That’s just poor management. But this resignation letter does speak volumes.
"I am doing this in the interests of the company even though I am not aware of any wrong doing on my part.Volkswagen needs a fresh start – also in terms of personnel. I am clearing the way for this fresh start with my resignation.I have always been driven by my desire to serve this company, especially our customers and employees. Volkswagen has been, is and will always be my life.The process of clarification and transparency must continue. This is the only way to win back trust. I am convinced that the Volkswagen Group and its team will overcome this grave crisis.”"
The major screwup even has the German Prime Minister Angela Merkel all up in a huff as according to Auto News she has urged VW to, “move as quickly as possible.” In other words, she wants this damage control over with ASAP so consumer confidence can be restored and one of Germany’s largest manufacturers can return to adding to Germany’s overall GDP.
Dozens of dealers across the United States who sell VW’s have definitely felt the blows from this scandal, especially dealers in California as according to Kelly Blue Book, over 14 percent of TDI owners come from the sunshine state. Many dealers are reporting that customers who were in the market for a TDI VW now are backing out on deals and are bailing altogether as the green component of these cars is exactly what brought them to VW in the first place.
As forWinterkorn’s replacement, Porsche CEO Matthias Müller, seems to be the go to guy according to numerous German newspapers.