VIENNA (AP) — Herbert Diess, the Volkswagen CEO whose image had been tarnished in the fallout from the German automaker’s emissions-cheating scandal, is stepping down. In a surprise announcement Friday, the company said Diess will depart Sept. 1 “by mutual consent” with the board. No reason was given. Porsche CEO Oliver Blume will succeed Diess. Diess took over as chief executive in 2018 and presided over the automaker at a time of significant change in the industry, including a shift toward increased production of electric vehicles. Diess focused on Volkswagen’s shift toward zero-emissions vehicles, but analysts say he wasn’t able to create change within the company and that the carmaker has fallen behind in some key developments, such as software implementation.
Volkswagen CEO, facing series of setbacks, will step down
