The Volkswagen Group has appointed a new CEO for its struggling software division, Cariad.
Peter Bosch, the current production director at Volkswagen Group subsidiary Bentley, will replace Dirk Hilgenberg, with the aim of expediting software and electric drivetrain developments at the German company.
This follows recent delays with key models such as the Porsche Macan EV and Audi Q6 E-tron.
Additionally, Cariad's chief technology officer, Lynn Longo, and chief financial officer, Thomas Sedran, will vacate their positions, the Volkswagen Group has confirmed in a statement to the media.
Effective as of 1 June, Bosch (pictured below) will become the CEO of Cariad. He will also oversee the Finance, Procurement, and IT departments of the division in his capacity as a "super-board member," taking on many of Longo's and Sedran's responsibilities.
Cariad's chief people officer, Rainer Zugehör, will remain in his position.
"Peter Bosch is the right CEO at the right time," said Volkswagen Group CEO and chairman of the Cariad supervisory board, Oliver Blume. "He's a strategist, executor and team player, as he has proven during his successful tenure at Bentley. He has a strong understanding of the Volkswagen Group and possesses comprehensive experience in change management and consulting."
The Volkswagen Group has confirmed that Bosch will be supported by two new software experts on the board of directors, but it has yet to name them.
In making the announcement, Blume emphasised that Cariad will "continue to be open to partnerships".
Recent media reports have suggested the Volkswagen Group is close to announcing a partnership with Mobileye in the field of autonomous driving, following the disbandment of its Argo AI joint venture with Ford. This wasn't touched on in the media statement, but insiders have told Wards Auto that discussions between the two companies are ongoing.
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