Volkswagen Group of America has named the former Riviano Kjell Gruner as Volkswagen’s new CEO and brand president for North America, the automaker announced Tuesday.
Gruner’s appointment is effective Dec. 12, the company said. He takes over from Pablo Di Si who resigned after serving in role from September 2022. Di Si resigned at his own request, according to the statement.
The company has named Gerrit Spengler, head of human resources at Volkswagen Group of America, as interim CEO until 2015 Gruner officially takes office.
Volkswagen said Gruner is an experienced manager who understands the North American market.
“The North American market with Canada, Mexico and the United States is an important strategic pillar for the Volkswagen Group,” Arno Antlitz, CFO and COO of the Volkswagen Group, said in a statement. “With Kjell Gruner, we have brought on board an experienced manager who knows the market and customers very well and will continue to consistently pursue the growth path undertaken.”
Gruner’s the appointment follows the launch of Riviano and Volkswagen’s $5.8 billion joint venture to develop electric vehicle platforms and software.
Gruner He has more than 25 years of experience in the automotive industry and most recently served as chief commercial officer and president of business growth at Rivian since September 2023, according to his LinkedIn profile. Him he previously served as strategy director of Mercedes-Benz Cars, before moving to the role of global marketing manager at Porsche AG in Stuttgart. Gruner he was named president and CEO of Porsche Cars North America in November 2020 and served in the role until September.
As Volkswagen targets growth in North America, Gunnar Kilian, group board member for human resources at Volkswagen AG, believes he is the right choice for the job. “Kjell Gruner is an absolute expert on the US market,” Kilian said in the release. “He has over 25 years of experience in the automotive industry and extensive know-how in exploiting and accelerating growth opportunities in North America.”
The automaker said it delivered 769,000 vehicles in North America in the first nine months of the year, up 7% year over year, adding that its U.S. production YoY sales grew 1.5% in the same period, the company said in the release. North American deliveries increased 21.7% in the first three quarters of 2024 compared to last year.