Wolfsburg, Germany - Volkswagen has attempted to draw a line under a bitter power struggle on its management board, saying it would extend the contract of chief executive Martin Winterkorn.
The carmaker said in a short statement on Friday: “The presidium of the supervisory board asserts that Martin Winterkorn is the best possible chief executive for Volkswagen.
“The presidium sets great store by the fact that Winterkorn should continue to act in his function as CEO as actively and successfully as he has done in the past.
“He has the full support of the presidium, which will propose that his contract be extended at the supervisory board meeting in February 2016,” the statement said.
DEFUSING RUMOURS
The declaration appears to be aimed at defusing media reports of a bitter battle between Winterkorn and Ferdinand Piech, chairman of Volkswagen’s supervisory board.
Piech, a member of the powerful Porsche dynasty that is a shareholder in Volkswagen, and one of the most important figures in German business, sparked an uproar last weekend by declaring in a magazine interview that he was “distancing himself” from Winterkorn.
Until now, Winterkorn was seen as Piech's close ally and heir apparent on the carmaker's supervisory board.
Piech's comments ignited speculation of a fierce leadership battle that could derail the smooth running of the company.
But Volkswagen’s other shareholders have since rallied behind Winterkorn, leaving Piech looking isolated.
AFP