ABOUT MICHAEL HORN* Age: 51* Nationality: German* Work: Joined Volkswagen in 1990 working on group and brand strategy; head of sales in northwestern Europe in 1997; named sales head for Europe in 2004; head of brand’s global after sales since 2009.
Volkswagen Group of America’s departing chief executive was hindered by an aging product cycle, and his replacement will face a similar challenge in growing sales, industry analysts said Thursday.
Jonathan Browning, who led VW’s U.S. sales and marketing arm during the successful launch of the Chattanooga-made Passat, is leaving the post for personal reasons and returning to his native United Kingdom, according to the German automaker.
Michael Horn, a VW Group veteran who has headed the VW brand’s global after sales since 2009, was named to the top job and is charged with re-starting the brand’s sales growth, which has lagged other automakers in 2013.
Horn likely will benefit from the expected announcement soon that VW will make a seven-seat sport utility vehicle for the U.S. market, which could be assembled in Chattanooga. VW’s only U.S. plant is seen as the front runner for the project. A decision to produce the SUV in Tennessee or Mexico could come by early next year, according to an official.