In recent years, the automotive industry has changed dramatically, especially due to the rapid progress of digital technologies and agile competitors like Tesla or BYD with completely new platforms and offerings. The Volkswagen Group, one of the world’s largest automakers, has had to face up to these challenges and is focusing on a digital future that is being shaped to a large extent by its new CEO, Oliver Blume.
Oliver Blume became Chairman of the Board of Management at Volkswagen in September 2022 as successor to Herbert Diess and has also held this position at Porsche AG in parallel since 2015. He is pursuing a clear vision of transforming the Group into a digital and sustainable automotive industry.
Oliver Blume brings valuable experience in the field of electromobility and digital innovations. Under his leadership, Porsche successfully launched the Taycan, the brand’s first all-electric vehicle. He wants to use this know-how to lead the Volkswagen Group into a digitized future.
One focus of Blume’s strategy is the intelligent networking of vehicles, infrastructure and mobility services. By implementing artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and Big Data analytics, vehicles should become more autonomous and safer. In addition, new business models in the area of mobility services will be developed to offer customers a seamless and personalized driving experience.
Another important aspect of Blume’s vision is the electrification of Volkswagen’s vehicle fleet. The Group plans to launch 70 new purely battery-electric vehicles by 2028, including the ID.2 compact car, the ID.buzz bus and the e-version of the Passat. To this end, 30 billion euros have been invested in the development of e-mobility to date.
In addition to vehicle electrification and connectivity, Oliver Blume has identified digital transformation within the company as a further focus. By introducing agile working methods and strengthening in-house expertise in the areas of software development and digitalization, the Volkswagen Group should be able to respond even faster to market changes.