VW Exodus: Suspended Tuch Quits, Hands Quality Keys Back to Rothenpieler
Like rats abandoning a sinking ship, Volkswagen managers see the writing on the wall in Wolfsburg. Whether or not their particular jobs are in jeopardy, from their own actions or those of others, the road ahead is long, rough, and filled with busy days and sleepless nights.
The latest to jump ship is Frank Tuch (right), who has led Group Quality Assurance at Volkswagen Group AG since 2010. He will be replaced effective February 15, 2016 by Hans-Joachim Rothenpieler (left), who joined Volkswagen in 1986 and previously held the same role.
Volkswagen explained in a release Monday that Tuch “leaves the company at his own request to take on new responsibilities elsewhere, and will continue to serve in an advisory capacity. The company regrets Tuch’s decision and thanks him for his achievements.”
However, according to Automotive News, Tuch was suspended along with eight other managers after the diesel emissions scandal broke last year.
Rothenpieler held the role of head of Group Quality Assurance from 2007 to 2010, before he was named board of management spokesman and managing director for engineering at Volkswagen Sachsen GmbH. At the time, we was succeeded by Tuch, who was personally tapped for the role by former CEO Martin Winterkorn.
With all these personnel changes at Volkswagen, at least the automaker can claim to have the most dynamic org tree in the industry.
More by Mark Stevenson
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So they are giving the role back to Rothenpieler, who was leading the show when the diesels in the current scandal were developed? What I missing?
Former VW owner here. The bigger surprise is that Volkswagen has a quality assurance group! Who knew! [Ducks]
Backpfeifengesicht!
The rats are jumping ship. I stopped buying VWs after the Mk4 (or any other new car regardless of make) due to cost-cutting and shortcuts many automakers employ to meet the ever stringent CAFE standards. I opted to go the restomod route on my existing vehicles instead. Someone's gotta keep the aftermarket industry in business.