Volkswagen Tabs Former Opel Chief To Lead Strategy

Aaron Cole
by Aaron Cole

Thomas Sedran, former interim head of Opel and General Motors’ European chief for Cadillac and Chevrolet brands, will join embattled automaker Volkswagen as head of group strategy, according to the automaker.

Sedran was head of Opel in 2012 when that automaker shuttered a plant in Bochum, Germany. Sedran was president and managing director of Cadillac and Chevrolet brands in Europe until June, when he joined global consulting firm Accenture.

According to Volkswagen, Sedran will take over Nov. 1 and report directly to new CEO Matthias Müller.

Sedran, 51, was a management consultant for 18 years before joining Opel in 2012. Sedran helped initiate Drive!2022 at Opel, which is that automaker’s plan to gain market share and become more profitable over the next seven years.

Part of Sedran’s plan at Opel included significant cost-cutting measures along with shuttering the plant in Bochum.


Aaron Cole
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 8 comments
  • RideHeight RideHeight on Oct 26, 2015

    Have Axe Will Travel

  • Felix Hoenikker Felix Hoenikker on Oct 26, 2015

    But, who gets to axe the axe man!

    • RideHeight RideHeight on Oct 26, 2015

      They're safe as long as they keep moving, like any other shark.

  • Heavy handle Heavy handle on Oct 26, 2015

    "Sedran helped initiate Drive!2022 at Opel, which is that automaker’s plan to gain market share and become more profitable over the next seven years." I honestly believe that his new gig will be easier. Countless execs have tried and failed to increase Opel's market share and profitability. None have succeeded. It's been a slow-sinking ship for the past 50 years. The only tougher job would be reversing GM US's market decline since the 1960s.

  • Hummer Hummer on Oct 26, 2015

    The auto industry has been a dull place over the past month it would seem, if it's not some VW crap then it's UAW crap.

    • See 1 previous
    • Felix Hoenikker Felix Hoenikker on Oct 26, 2015

      @RideHeight Since Ford pulled the Ranger, I thought there was no NA small truck market assuming that the Tacoma is a mid sizer.

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