"We are not a start-up, we have structures and processes that have grown over decades. Many of them crusted and complicated. And above all, we have a wide variety of interests and political agendas within the Group." ...
... "These make the already large project even more costly and complex. But resistance should spur us on and provide additional motivation."
... "This also means that we have to readjust our VW strategy in order to keep up with new competitors like Tesla. (...) Under "Mission T" 31 top executives from Volkswagen Audi and Porsche were included. The question was how we can catch up with Tesla - " ...
... "a company that focuses exclusively on the future without a traditional car business. And this from an ecosystem (west coast of the USA) that is characterized by software capabilities, technology focus and risk culture."
"I have adapted my management style for Wolfsburg
When I took office in Wolfsburg, I firmly resolved to change the VW system. This means: to break up old, encrusted structures and to make the company more agile and modern. " ...
.. "Together with many companions with the same level of motivation, I succeeded in doing this in many places, but not in some, especially not yet at our corporate headquarters in Wolfsburg."
... "With my occasionally confrontational manner - which addresses and addresses grievances and the need for action in a very concrete way - I have changed a lot in my professional career so far and achieved good results." ...
... "In some cases, they have been essential for the respective companies, including Volkswagen. After 5 years at VW, I have of course also questioned my management style and have now adapted it for Wolfsburg."
A second article full of confession, justification, and attempt to gain support in Wolfsburg.
No, CEO would publish such an article if he is not fighting for his job.
“What do we have to achieve in the next six months to catch up with Tesla in terms of technology by 2024?”
Top Managers from VW ask themselves a wrong question
It explains why they are where they are today
The Transformation is not about Tesla but VW
If the answer to VW about Tesla is a project, Project T then they don't really understand the challenge in front of them
A project alone will not chance VW and without change, they won't innovate faster and developed competitive technology linkedin.com/pulse/how-we-t…
It is revealing that they believe a project and 6 months change can help them to catch up with Tesla in 2024. The challenge VW has is not to make 6 months change or implement a Project Tesla to be competitive in 2024.
"We will no longer adapt the current A8 to this technology - for reasons of our own quality and safety requirements."
First the delayed L3 for A8 and now cancelled
"The charging station infrastructure is not yet as advanced as it should be. That's why we need the efforts of the public sector, but also cooperation like Ionity (...) It is important that everyone in this field gives full speed. (...) For me, charging is the key to success "
Duessmann reply when he was asked about Battery Day and Battery Innovation
"It is no secret that the battery is increasingly becoming one of the most important competitive factors. Accordingly, we are making the battery a core competence within the Volkswagen Group."
"It is the largest private investment project in East Germany since reunification and probably also one of the largest industrial investments in the whole of Germany in the last 40 to 50 years. This investment shows that Germany is ..
... still an attractive investment location. We are trying to show, even at the speed Tesla needs, that Germany can also process approval procedures faster. There is no political influence on this. The procedure is legally secure, it is solely in the hands of the authorities. ..
They work at an enormous speed and yet no less conscientiously. I am therefore very optimistic that the first cars will roll off the production line next summer. In addition, the Gigafactory helps us to show that climate protection can be combined with value creation and jobs."