The Volkswagen Group has appointed Kjell Gruner as CEO of Volkswagen Group of America, effective December 12. Gruner succeeds Pablo Di Si, who stepped down from the role last week at his own request. Until Gruner assumes office, Gerrit Spengler, Chief Human Resources Officer of Volkswagen Group of America, will serve as interim CEO.
Gunnar Kilian, Volkswagen AG’s Group Board Member for Human Resources, stated: “Kjell Gruner is a true expert on the U.S. market, with over 25 years of experience in the automotive industry and extensive expertise in identifying and accelerating growth opportunities in North America. We are deeply grateful to his predecessor, Pablo Di Si, whose outstanding leadership was pivotal in restructuring our business in South America and laying the groundwork for the positive development of our North American strategy.
Arno Antlitz, CFO & COO of the Volkswagen Group said; “The North American market with Canada, Mexico, and the USA is an important strategic pillar for the Volkswagen Group. Targeted Media Information Kjell Gruner, new CEO of the Volkswagen Group of America NO. 125/2024 Page 2 of 4 investments in local production and innovative technologies are strengthening our global footprint and enabling us to better meet the needs of our American customers. We would like to thank Pablo Di Si, who, together with his local team, has made a lasting contribution to strengthening the American regions of our Group. In Kjell Gruner, we have brought on board an experienced expert who knows the market and customers very well and will continue to consistently pursue the growth path we have embarked on.”
Kjell Gruner brings over 25 years of experience in the automotive industry. He began his career as a consultant with the Boston Consulting Group in 1997 before holding management roles at Porsche AG in Stuttgart. In 2004, he joined DaimlerChrysler AG’s strategy department, and by 2006, he was leading the strategy division for Mercedes-Benz Cars.
In 2010, Gruner returned to Porsche AG as Global Chief Marketing Officer, later becoming President and CEO of Porsche Cars North America in 2020. Most recently, he served as Chief Commercial Officer and President of Business Growth at Rivian Automotive, Inc.
In the first nine months, 769,000 vehicles were delivered in North America, a significant increase of more than 7 percent compared to the previous year. In the main US market, the Volkswagen Group grew by 1.5 percent.
Deliveries of the Volkswagen brand in North America increased by 21.7 percent in the first three quarters of the year compared to the previous year and gained momentum despite headwinds.
The Group’s portfolio of highly efficient combustion engines, plug-in hybrids, and fully electric vehicles enables the company to respond flexibly to fluctuating customer demand without losing sight of the goal of switching to electromobility in the medium and long term. This strategy gives the company flexibility and robustness in uncertain times.
To achieve its ambitious goals, Volkswagen has invested considerable resources in expanding its regional production capacity over the past ten years. This includes state-of-the-art battery production facilities, the development of specific vehicle architectures for the North American market, comprehensive research and development, vehicle assembly and component manufacturing. With strong partnerships with regional suppliers, Volkswagen also ensures a sustainable and efficient implementation of e-mobility that meets the requirements of the North American market.
