Former Audi Australia boss vacates Volkswagen Australia CEO role after 11 months
The CEO of Volkswagen Australia, Paul Sansom, has left the business just shy of one year into his tenure.
Samson took over the role in 2021, after a successful four-year stint heading up Audi Australia.
Jeff Mannering returned to Australia to take the reins of Audi.
In January 2021, Volkswagen Group Australia was reshaped to incorporate all the local VAG brands, including Skoda, Cupra, VW and Audi, as well as VW’s Commercial Vehicle division.
Sansom (above) oversaw a relocation of the company’s back-office functions from a bespoke facility in Chullora in Sydney’s south-west to Audi’s Zetland HQ.
The successful launch of sub-brand Cupra, the implementation of VW’s electrification roll-out and continued lobbying to improve local fuel standards all occurred during Samson’s tenure at the top of VW.
“Mr Sansom has stepped down to take a well-earned break before beginning the next exciting chapter of his career,” read a statement from VW Australia.
“Gabriele de Neidels, who will act as VGA’s MD, thanked Mr Sansom for his service and leadership.”
It’s understood Sansom announced his departure from the business after a period of leave. He joined Volkswagen in the UK in 2003 and was the managing director of Audi South Africa prior to his move to Australia.
Sales across the various VW brands have suffered markedly both here and overseas in the last 12 months, as covid- and global conflict-led component shortages severely curtailed supply, including that of the crucial Golf Mark 8 (above), and T-Roc and T-Cross small SUVs.
Reports today from Germany reveal that the brand’s mega-plant in Wolfsburg is currently operating at just half of its capacity due to supply issues – though it will still manage to churn out 400,000 cars in 2022.
[author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]https://editorial.csnstatic.com/editors/tim-robson-author.jpg[/author_image] [author_info]Tim Robson[/author_info] [/author]
