Volkswagen announced Friday it has named the head of the German automaker's new North American unit to oversee its operations in America for the group.
Hinrich J. Woebcken was chosen as chief executive of Volkswagen Group of America and will replace Michael Horn, who left the company earlier this year in the wake of the diesel-emission scandal.
Dr. Herbert Diess, who heads the VW brand worldwide, told employees at its Herndon, Va., office that establishment of the North American Region provides the U.S., Mexico and Canada more freedom and responsibility than ever before.
Woebcken, CEO of the North American Region for the Volkswagen brand, said he looks forward to "leading the teams in the U.S., Mexico and Canada and make sure we deliver these markets the right products with the right content at the right time."
VW said the creation of the North American Region is desgined to react better to customer and market demands unique to the region. The new region will be responsible for aligning all activities of the brand, including sales and marketing, product development, procurement and production, in North America, according to VW. The structure allows for close proximity to the markets and establishes more autonomy, responsibility, empowerment and collaboration than ever before, the company said.
"With the new structure of the North American Region we will be empowered to make the decisions to bring the vehicles that the consumers in the market are demanding," said Woebcken. "I look forward to leading the teams in the U.S., Mexico and Canada and make sure we deliver to these markets the right products with the right content at the right time."