Ferdinand Piëch: Farewell to the ex-VW boss
SHOCK Ex-VW board chairman Prof. Dr. Ferdinand Piëch collapsed in a restaurant in Rosenheim as early as Sunday evening and died in hospital a short time later at the age of 82. This was reported by the newspaper "Bild." According to the report, rescue workers took Prof. Dr. Ferdinand Piëch to a Rosenheim hospital, where he subsequently died. The death is also confirmed by the "Handelsblatt" with [...].
This was reported by the newspaper "Bild". According to the report, rescue workers took Prof. Dr. Ferdinand Piëch to a hospital in Rosenheim, where he subsequently died. The "Handelsblatt" also confirms the death with reference to a source from the family environment.
Career start in mechanical engineering
Ferdinand Piëch, who later became Volkswagen's Chairman of the Board of Management, got his start in the automotive industry in 1963 through his diploma thesis in mechanical engineering with his uncle, Ferry Porsche. His work involved the development of a Formula 1 engine. In Zuffenhausen, he headed the development department from 1965. In the course of his career, the engineering graduate held various management positions at Audi and Volkswagen and remained a holder of 14 percent of Porsche's ordinary shares until his death.
Global group with twelve brands
From 1993, he rose from Audi to the post of Chairman of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen Group, which he held until 2002. He then chaired the Supervisory Board of Volkswagen until he resigned in 2015 due to differences of opinion with Group CEO Martin Winterkorn. In the course of his career, Prof. Dr. Ferdinand Piëch turned the carmaker, which was in need of restructuring in the 1990s, into a global group by implementing quality measures and entering the luxury segment. Today, twelve brands from seven different countries belong to VW.
Detailed interest in technology
Often referred to as the patriarch, Prof. Dr. Ferdinand Piëch was known for his uncompromising management style, but also for his attention to detail in technology and his often groundbreaking engine developments. As chairman of the board at Audi and VW, he had several managers and board members fired. He was most recently accused of involvement in the emissions scandal that began in 2015, which he denied until his death. Assets in real estate companies Shortly before the emissions scandal came to light, his wife Ursula founded several real estate companies into whose accounts Ferdinand Piëch transferred a large part of his assets. In 2017, he declined to testify as a witness at the Bundestag investigative committee. The funeral will take place in the closest family circle. Ferdinand Piëch is survived by his wife Ursula (63) and a total of twelve children and several grandchildren.
