Pablo Di Si oversaw both VW Group and VW Brand operations in North America. He will be succeeded by Dr. Kjell Gruner, former CEO of Porsche North America.
Pablo Di Si, CEO of Volkswagen Group and Volkswagen Brand for North America, has resigned, the German automaker announced on Tuesday. The exact timing of his departure was not specified, but VW stated in a press release that Di Si “stepped down from his position on his own request.”
His resignation is effective immediately. Gerrit Spengler, chief human resources officer for VW Group of America, will serve as interim CEO until December 12. On that date, Dr. Kjell Gruner will assume leadership of North American operations, overseeing both the Volkswagen brand and VW Group.
If Kjell Gruner’s name rings a bell, it’s for good reason. He served as CEO of Porsche North America starting in 2020 before moving to Rivian in 2023. However, he stepped down from the electric vehicle startup earlier this year. Before these roles, Gruner spent a decade as Porsche’s global chief marketing officer, giving him extensive experience within the VW Group family.
“We would like to thank Pablo Di Si, who, together with his local team, has made a lasting contribution to strengthening the American regions of our Group,” said VW Group Chief Financial and Operating Officer Arno Antlitz. “In Kjell Gruner, we have brought on board an experienced expert who knows the market and customers very well and will continue to consistently pursue the growth path we have embarked on.”
Speculation about Di Si’s potential replacement surfaced weeks ago, with German outlets suggesting he bore some blame for missteps in the U.S. market. Ironically, the U.S. is one of VW’s strongest-performing regions. Through the first three quarters of 2024, VW brand sales in the U.S. are up over 7% compared to last year, while VW Group’s regional sales have risen by 1.5%.
Di Si’s departure comes as VW faces significant financial challenges that could lead to mass layoffs and plant closures in Germany—an unprecedented situation in the company’s history.
