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Thomas Schäfer (manager)

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Thomas Schäfer
Portrait of Thomas Schäfer
Thomas Schäfer, 2024
Born1970 (age 53–54)
Marburg, Germany
NationalityGerman
Education
  • Mechanical engineering
  • Production technology
Alma materBaden-Württemberg Cooperative State University
Occupation
Years active1991–present
OrganizationVolkswagen Group
Board member of

Thomas Schäfer (German: [ˈtoːmas ˈʃɛːfɐ]; born 1970 in Marburg) is a German manager. Since July 2022, he has been Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Volkswagen Passenger Cars (VW) and a Member of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen Group. Schäfer is responsible for all volume brands.[1] This includes Škoda Auto, which he managed from 2020 to 2022. Before that, Schäfer worked for Daimler and Mercedes-Benz.

Early life and education

Schäfer spent his childhood in Hesse. After graduating from Freiherr vom Stein School Gladenbach, he studied mechanical engineering and production technology at the Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University in Stuttgart from 1991 to 1994.

Career

Schäfer with the VW ID.7

Daimler

Schäfer began his career at Daimler AG in 1991. After completing his studies, he worked in the quality assurance department. After spending time in Germany and the United States, he supported Mercedes-Benz production in South Africa and has been Vice President of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia.

In 2005, Schäfer returned to Sindelfingen. His responsibilities included vehicle deliveries and the Mercedes-Benz customer center at Daimler's corporate headquarters. Besides, Schäfer was responsible for managing emerging markets production.

Volkswagen

In 2012, Schäfer moved to Volkswagen AG in Wolfsburg. He was initially responsible for production processes at various international locations. In 2015, he became Chairman and Managing Director of Volkswagen Group South Africa, where he also held responsibility for the sub-Saharan region.

Schäfer's appointment as CEO of Škoda Auto in August 2020 attracted attention.[2][3] Under his leadership, the brand updated its strategy until 2030, with a focus on more affordable models for the mass market.[4] He also pushed ahead with the electrification of the model range. One example is the successful production and sales launch of the Škoda Enyaq.[5] In addition to the traditional markets, India and Africa have been identified as growth regions for Škoda.

In 2022, Schäfer moved to Volkswagen passenger cars. After joining the Board of Management as Chief Operating Officer (COO), he was appointed CEO of the brand in July 2022. At the same time, he was promoted to the Board of Management of the Volkswagen Group.[6][7] There he is responsible for the Brand Group Core, the organizational merger of the group's volume brands. Schäfer is chairman of the supervisory boards of Škoda and SEAT/Cupra and heads the advisory board of Volkswagen's commercial vehicles division.[8][9][10]

Schäfer drove the development of smaller electric cars at Volkswagen,[11][12] including the VW ID.2.[13][14] At the same time, successful models with combustion engines were continued, such as the VW Tiguan and VW Passat.[15] In order to secure future investments in the transformation of the company, he aims to achieve a 6.5% return on sales by 2026, with an emphasis on reducing costs, streamlining operations, and increasing efficiency in development and production.[16]

Other activities

In October 2023, Schäfer took over the role of Chairman of the Sub-Saharan Africa Initiative of German Business. His goal is to expand the activities of German business on the African continent.[17]

Notes and references

  1. ^ Menzel, Stefan (December 15, 2021). "Blitzkarriere im Volkswagen-Konzern. Unternehmer des Tages: Thomas Schäfer". Handelsblatt (in German). p. 46.
  2. ^ Krogh, Henning (August 2, 2020). "Thomas Schäfer wird neuer Skoda-Chef". Automobilwoche (in German). Retrieved October 27, 2024.
  3. ^ Menzel, Stefan (August 4, 2020). "Von Südafrika nach Böhmen. Unternehmer des Tages: Thomas Schäfer". Handelsblatt. p. 46.
  4. ^ Menzel, Stefan (November 23, 2020). "Neuer Skoda-Chef: "Bei den kleineren Modellen läuft der Diesel aus". Handelsblatt (in German). Retrieved October 27, 2024.
  5. ^ Schäfer, Thomas (February 10, 2021). Germis, Carsten; Mihm, Andreas (eds.). "Škoda ist systemrelevant". Frankfurter Allgemeine (Interview) (in German). Retrieved October 27, 2024.
  6. ^ Kruse, Thomas (December 10, 2021). "Der neue VW-Markenchef Schäfer: Weltgewandt und hilfsbereit". Wolfsburger Nachrichten (in German). p. 12.
  7. ^ "Thomas Schäfer bleibt Chef der Marke Volkswagen" (in German). NDR. July 8, 2024. Retrieved October 27, 2024.
  8. ^ "Skoda: Schäfer ist neuer Chef des Aufsichtsrats". Wolfsburger Allgemeine Zeitung (in German). July 20, 2022. p. 18.
  9. ^ "Seat: Schäfer ist Chef des Aufsichtsrates". Wolfsburger Allgemeine Zeitung (in German). July 5, 2022. p. 15.
  10. ^ "Schäfer leitet Beirat von VW Nutzfahrzeuge". Wolfsburger Allgemeine Zeitung (in German). June 16, 2022. p. 16.
  11. ^ Schäfer, Thomas (July 21, 2022). Zwick, Daniel (ed.). "Ein E-Auto für 10.000 Euro? "Bestimmt nicht. Wir planen einen Preis unter 25.000". Welt (Interview) (in German). Retrieved October 27, 2024.
  12. ^ Schäfer, Thomas (March 24, 2024). Stegmaier, Gerd (ed.). "Volksstromer ist Champions League des Autobaus". Auto Motor und Sport (Interview) (in German).
  13. ^ Winterhagen, Johannes (March 21, 2023). "Billigere Elektroautos: Dem Volk aufs Maul geschaut". Frankfurter Allgemeine (in German). Retrieved October 27, 2024.
  14. ^ Gibbs, Nick; Johannsen, Frank (April 11, 2023). "VW brand boss 'guarantees' small EV will be profitable". Automotive News Europe. Retrieved October 27, 2024.
  15. ^ Appel, Holger (June 20, 2023). "Schäfers Schleudertrauma". Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (in German). p. 3.
  16. ^ Wermke, Lennart (July 13, 2023). "VW-Pkw unter Druck: Warum Thomas Schäfer den Gürtel enger schnallt". Automobilwoche (in German). Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  17. ^ "SAFRI fördert Zusammenarbeit: VW-Chef Thomas Schäfer ist jetzt Vorsitzender der Subsahara-Afrika-Initiative der deutschen Wirtschaft". Wolfsburger Allgemeine (in German). October 5, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
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