The Volkswagen Group is strengthening its Technical Development Board perform within the China area as a part of its “In China, for China” technique. Thomas Ulbrich, former Member of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen Brand for “New Mobility”, will head up Technical Development for the Group in China from April 1, 2024. In his new capability, Ulbrich, who has already held two administration positions for the Group in China, will proceed to advance the technological localization of the portfolio. He succeeds Marcus Hafkemeyer, who – along with his intensive expertise of China – will assist the corporate’s transformation in a brand new position within the Group.
“The Volkswagen Group’s ‘In China, for China’ strategy is about systematically adapting to the dynamic changes taking place in China’s automotive industry. A high degree of localization will allow us to cater to the wishes of our Chinese customers. I would like to thank Marcus Hafkemeyer, whose outstanding personal commitment and broad expertise in China have really moved forward Technical Development’s regional focus, for example through the establishment of our new development center in Hefei,” stated Ralf Brandstätter, Member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG for the China area and CEO of Volkswagen Group China.
“Thomas Ulbrich, one of our top development and software experts, will now continue to advance the localization and networking of our Group’s development activities in the region. Ulbrich has exceptional expertise in important future technologies and excellent connections in the company and the China region. One of his priorities will therefore be to further strengthen the collaboration with our joint venture companies FAW-Volkswagen, SAIC Volkswagen and Volkswagen Anhui. I firmly believe that this will be an important source of impetus in our transformation to smart e-mobility”, Brandstätter added.
In his new position, Thomas Ulbrich will even be the CEO of Volkswagen China Technology Company (VCTC) in Hefei in jap China. The Group’s greatest growth heart exterior Germany is the central growth unit of Volkswagen Group China, which focuses squarely on clever, totally linked electrical automobiles.
VCTC will subsequently play a key position within the growth of particular fashions for China. One of the issues being developed there’s the primary native electrical platform, which is able to kind the premise for brand spanking new Volkswagen model fashions in China from 2026.
By implementing environment friendly growth processes and utilizing state-of-the-art applied sciences, VCTC will scale back the time to marketplace for automobiles and parts by 30 p.c. Further synergies shall be leveraged by intently interweaving growth work with the three way partnership corporations SAIC Volkswagen, FAW-Volkswagen and Volkswagen Anhui in addition to with Gotion (batteries) and Chinese automaker XPENG. Partners Horizon Robotics (autonomous driving), ARK (person expertise) and Thundersoft (infotainment) will even be integrated, working intently with Volkswagen’s software program arm CARIAD.
After a pioneering part, the “New Mobility” Board of Management division of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars model shall be transferred to Technical Development (TE) as deliberate to make sure environment friendly constructions and stronger networking. Thomas Ulbrich particularly examined and established new software program growth processes for electrical automobiles based mostly on MEB within the “New Mobility” division. The switch of those actions to the MQBevo has already taken place as deliberate, and the “New Mobility” division’s mission has been completed. Kai Grünitz, Member of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen model chargeable for Technical Development, will in future handle the technical venture administration for future applied sciences and growth underneath one roof.
Additional Information
Thomas Ulbrich studied automotive engineering at Hamburg University of Applied Sciences. In 1992, the engineering graduate began his profession in plant logistics at Wolfsburg, the place he assumed a administration position in 1995.
In 1996, he turned head of logistics at FAW-Volkswagen in Changchun, China. Two years later he assumed duty for meeting “segment II” on the Wolfsburg plant earlier than changing into head of plant logistics at Emden in 1999.
The subsequent stage of his profession took him to AUTO 5000 GmbH in Wolfsburg, the place he was technical managing director and speaker of the administration board from 2001 to 2008. He turned Board of Management member for Production at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles in Hannover in 2008.
Ulbrich moved to SAIC VOLKSWAGEN, China, as Technical Executive Vice President in 2010, taking cost of growth in addition to manufacturing and logistics at a complete of 5 places.
From April 2014 till January 2018, Thomas Ulbrich was chargeable for Production and Logistics as Member of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen model. From February 2018 till January 2021 he was Member of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen model chargeable for E-Mobility. Since February 2021, he has been a member of the Brand Board of Management chargeable for Technical Development at Volkswagen Passenger Cars and took over the newly created “New Mobility” Board perform at Volkswagen Passenger Cars efficient October 1, 2022.