（Cover image source: Volkswagen AG）
Last year’s VW internal struggle, which ended with Diess’ apology, cost him his position as CEO of the Volkswagen brand, as well as a group of powerful assistants.
（IG Metall）
On April 23, Volkswagen officially announced that Bernd Osterloh, the chairman of the union, will take over as personnel director of the Traton department starting May 1 (separated and listed separately in 2019). This means Osterloh will fade out of the power core of the Volkswagen Supervisory Board!
In the German corporate governance system, labor representatives occupy half of the seats on the board of directors. Osterloh, the “big shot” who has been the chairman of the Volkswagen labor union since 2005 and a member of the Volkswagen Supervisory Board, has led more than 600,000 employees for 16 years.
Osterloh and Diess had great conflicts and disagreements in many aspects of the electrification reform. The trigger for last year’s “palace struggle” was Osterloh’s “firm” vote against Diess’ delayed appointment at a meeting.
（IG Metall）
The vacant position of the Volkswagen labor union chairman is likely to be filled by Daniela Cavallo, who may become the first female Volkswagen labor union chairman. She currently serves as vice chairman, and is only 46 years old. The nomination will be voted on by shareholders at the annual meeting in July.
With Osterloh fading out of the Volkswagen power core, Diess’s biggest internal obstacle to reform may be eliminated. However, this depends on Cavallo’s attitude towards reform, and we will also closely monitor the trends of Volkswagen’s top leadership.
🔗Source: Volkswagen AG, Reuters
This article is a translation by ChatGPT of a Chinese report from 42HOW. If you have any questions about it, please email bd@42how.com.