Mr Blume, you were born in Lower Saxony and grew up here. What does your new role in the Volkswagen Group mean to you?
A great deal. For me it’s a great honour to have been offered this position. I have worked for the Volkswagen Group for 28 years, was active with four brands and the company has been very good to me – now I want to put my experience to the service of the group. With passion and team spirit. Success is always the product of a strong team.
You know the main players quite well already, as well as the people and the region. How important is a connection to home for you?
You only have one home. I was born in Braunschweig, grew up near Wolfsburg and studied in Braunschweig. I have a great sense of connection to the people of this region: family, friends, companions along the way. Including at Volkswagen. So, this is my home turf. Interestingly, only one Chairman of the Board of Management has been from Lower Saxony: Heinrich Nordhoff, a positively influential figure.
Your dual role as the Chairman of the Volkswagen Group Board of Management and Chairman of the Executive Board of Porsche AG has been described in the media as highly complex. Is it possible to run the Group and Porsche at the same time?
Absolutely. The strategic leadership of the Group differs significantly from the operational management of a brand. The two roles complement each other perfectly. In the automotive industry, simultaneously heading a group and a brand is not unusual. And it has served the Volkswagen Group well over many years as well. For me personally, linking the two roles is a critical, well-considered decision for the long-term success of the Volkswagen Group and Porsche: being closely involved in the processes and technologies of a company in order to be in a position to make the right strategic decisions in the Group.
What effect would a potential IPO at Porsche AG have on your dual role?
If Porsche AG were to go public, my dual role would have significant advantages. After a potential IPO, Porsche AG would be an independent company with no authority on the part of Volkswagen AG. In my Group role, I will at the same time work on ensuring that synergies continue to exist in both directions in terms of sales volume,…
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