Volkswagen’s chief strategist Stefan Weckbach is reportedly preparing to leave the company for a competing automaker, according to a report by German business publication Manager Magazin. The move has not been confirmed publicly, and the magazine did not specify which competitor he is expected to join. Volkswagen declined to comment when approached, the report said.
Weckbach joined Volkswagen in 2023 after being appointed by CEO Oliver Blume, serving as head of corporate strategy, corporate product strategy and as Blume’s executive secretary. The publication described the unexpected exit as causing “internal strife,” as Weckbach has held a central role in shaping the group’s strategic direction and supporting Blume’s restructuring efforts.
Prior to joining Volkswagen, Weckbach worked closely with Blume at Porsche, where he oversaw the development of the brand’s first electric vehicle. He helped guide the Mission E concept car into series production as the Taycan, earning a reputation as a trusted figure within Blume’s leadership circle. At Volkswagen, he contributed to long-term strategy formulation and implementation across the group, despite not being a member of the management board.
Weckbach’s departure could weaken Blume’s position, as he was viewed as a potential candidate for senior leadership roles, including the top position at Porsche. However, he was reportedly passed over in the search for a successor to Blume’s role at Porsche due to his lack of operational board-level experience. Former McLaren CEO Michael Leiters is set to take over those responsibilities at the beginning of next year.
The Porsche supervisory board was said to be seeking a turnaround specialist amid a challenging economic environment, a profile it believed Leiters offered following his work at McLaren. While Weckbach lacks comparable operational leadership experience, Manager Magazin noted that his academic background includes a doctoral thesis titled “Financial stress in companies,” hinting at some familiarity with corporate restructuring.
