Dr. Werner Tietz Appointed Head of Volkswagen Group Research and Development, Succeeding Dr. Michael Steiner
The Volkswagen Group, one of the world’s largest and most influential automotive manufacturers, has announced a significant leadership change in its global Research and Development division. Dr. Werner Tietz, a veteran engineer with over three decades of experience within the Group, will take over as Head of Group Research and Development. He succeeds Dr. Michael Steiner, who will now focus on his expanded responsibilities at Porsche as Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board.
Dr. Werner This leadership transition marks an important strategic move for Volkswagen, as the company continues to navigate one of the most transformative periods in its history—transitioning from traditional internal combustion vehicles to electrification, software-defined mobility solutions, and autonomous driving technologies.
A Legacy of Innovation: Dr. Werner Tietz’s Journey with the Volkswagen Group
Dr. Werner Tietz’s appointment is the culmination of a distinguished career marked by technical excellence, visionary thinking, and a proven ability to drive innovation across multiple premium brands under the Volkswagen umbrella. Tietz holds a doctorate in engineering from RWTH Aachen University, one of Germany’s foremost institutions for technical education and research. His academic foundation has played a key role in his approach to engineering, product development, and strategic planning.
Dr. Werner Tietz joined the Volkswagen Group in 1994, starting his career at Audi, where he was responsible for vehicle interiors. His work at Audi set new standards in terms of design, material quality, and ergonomic innovation, helping position the brand as a leader in premium automotive interiors. During his tenure, Tietz was instrumental in developing new interior concepts that blended luxury with cutting-edge technology, enhancing the user experience for drivers and passengers alike.
In 2011, Tietz transitioned to Porsche, another iconic brand within the Group. Dr. Werner At Porsche, he expanded his scope of responsibility to oversee the development of vehicle body and interior for all models. One of his most notable contributions was his involvement in the development of the Taycan concept—the brand’s first fully electric sports car. Tietz’s work on the Taycan included the integration of innovative materials and lightweight construction techniques, contributing to the vehicle’s performance, efficiency, and sustainability.
Dr. Werner Following his successful tenure at Porsche, Tietz took on an executive role at Bentley, serving as a member of the Bentley Executive Committee and head of the development department. At Bentley, he led the creation of a new development strategy, laying the groundwork for the brand’s electrification roadmap. His leadership was pivotal in positioning Bentley to meet future regulatory requirements and shifting customer expectations for luxury electric vehicles.
Most recently, Dr. Werner Tietz has been serving at SEAT/CUPRA, where he played a crucial role in defining the electrification strategy and spearheading the development of sustainable materials. Under his guidance, CUPRA emerged as a dynamic and youthful brand focused on electric performance vehicles, aligning with Volkswagen Group’s broader electrification objectives.
Leadership Change Amidst Industry Transformation
The decision to appoint Dr. Werner Tietz as Head of Group Research and Development comes at a time when the automotive industry is undergoing seismic changes. The shift towards electric mobility, the increasing importance of software and digital ecosystems, and the race towards autonomous driving are reshaping the competitive landscape.
Dr. Oliver Blume, CEO of the Volkswagen Group, underscored the importance of Tietz’s appointment in this context. “With his vision, technical expertise, and more than three decades of experience within the Volkswagen Group, Dr. Werner Tietz has played a key role in shaping the innovative strength of brands such as Audi, Porsche, Bentley, and SEAT/CUPRA. His work stands for forward-looking development, from sustainable materials to electrification strategy. With this extensive expertise, he will continue to drive forward research and development at the Volkswagen Group,” Blume said.
Tietz’s appointment reflects Volkswagen’s commitment to maintaining technological leadership across its global brands while accelerating its transformation into a leading provider of sustainable and digital mobility solutions.
Recognizing the Contributions of Dr. Michael Steiner
In addition to announcing Tietz’s new role, the Volkswagen Group acknowledged the significant contributions of Dr. Michael Steiner, who has served as Head of Group Research and Development since 2022. Steiner holds a doctorate in engineering from the Technical University of Munich and began his career at Mercedes-Benz before joining Porsche in 2002.
At Porsche, Steiner was responsible for the Panamera series and overall vehicle development. His leadership has been instrumental in shaping Porsche’s success in high-performance and luxury vehicle segments. Since 2016, he has been a member of Porsche’s Executive Board for Research and Development.
In 2022, Steiner took on the dual role of Head of Group Research and Development at Volkswagen, where he made substantial contributions to the Group’s future-oriented strategies. His tenure saw the development of high-performance electrical and electronic architectures, a strong focus on software-defined vehicles, and the establishment of global technology partnerships.
Dr. Oliver Blume praised Steiner’s achievements, stating, “With his deep technological understanding and strategic foresight, Michael Steiner has made a significant contribution to positioning the Volkswagen Group as a future-oriented mobility group. This includes the development of high-performance electrical and electronic architectures, the focus on software-defined vehicles, and the opening up to global technology partnerships. His work has been important for key decisions in the areas of automotive software, batteries, and autonomous driving. I would like to personally thank him for his commitment to the Volkswagen Group.”
Steiner will now focus on his expanded role at Porsche, where his expertise will continue to drive the brand’s innovation and technological leadership.
Strategic Priorities for Volkswagen Group R&D Under Tietz
As Head of Group Research and Development, Dr. Werner Tietz will be tasked with steering Volkswagen through several critical strategic priorities:
- Electrification Leadership: Tietz will oversee the continued development of Volkswagen’s electric vehicle platforms, including the scalable modular architectures that underpin multiple brands within the Group. His experience with the Taycan and CUPRA will be invaluable in optimizing EV performance, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.
- Sustainable Materials and Circular Economy: Building on his work at SEAT/CUPRA, Tietz will focus on integrating sustainable materials and circular economy principles into vehicle design and production, aligning with Volkswagen’s commitment to carbon neutrality.
- Software-Defined Vehicles and Digitalization: Tietz will collaborate with CARIAD, Volkswagen’s software division, to advance the development of software-defined vehicles, enhance digital services, and improve over-the-air update capabilities.
- Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and Autonomous Driving: Tietz will oversee R&D efforts in autonomous driving technologies, leveraging partnerships and in-house innovations to ensure Volkswagen remains competitive in this critical area.
- Global Technology Partnerships: Under Tietz’s leadership, Volkswagen will continue to foster strategic alliances with technology partners, research institutions, and startups to accelerate innovation.
- R&D Efficiency and Innovation Culture: Tietz is expected to further enhance the efficiency of R&D processes across the Group while nurturing a culture of innovation that empowers teams to experiment and deliver breakthrough technologies.
Continuity and Progress
The appointment of Dr. Werner Tietz as Head of Group Research and Development signals both continuity and progress for the Volkswagen Group. His deep-rooted experience within the Group, coupled with a forward-looking vision, makes him uniquely qualified to lead Volkswagen’s R&D in this era of rapid technological change.
At the same time, the transition allows Dr. Michael Steiner to concentrate his efforts on Porsche, where his expertise will continue to be a driving force behind the brand’s innovation agenda.
As Volkswagen accelerates its transformation into a sustainable, digital, and electrified mobility provider, the leadership of seasoned experts like Tietz will be critical in ensuring the company’s long-term success on the global stage.
