The career of Herbert Diess centers on his tenure as chairperson of the executive board at Volkswagen Group, a role he held from 2018 until 2022. An engineer by training, he established a background in the automotive sector through senior roles at BMW and Robert Bosch before moving into the upper management tier of international vehicle manufacturing.
Early Career and BMW
Born in Munich in 1958, Diess holds Austrian citizenship. He began his professional path in the industrial sector, eventually joining BMW in 1996. During his tenure at the firm in Munich, he occupied a variety of roles and earned a reputation for his contributions to the development of the BMW i3 and BMW i8 models.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Volkswagen Leadership
Diess departed BMW in 2015 to transition to Volkswagen. By 2018, he assumed the positions of chairperson of the executive board of the Volkswagen Group and the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand. His time in this role coincided with significant operational shifts. During a 2019 event, his use of the phrase "EBIT macht frei" caused controversy due to its similarity to the slogan used at Nazi concentration camps. Furthermore, in 2022, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine, he advocated for policy decisions intended to facilitate trade and preserve commercial interests.
Legal Proceedings and Resignation
In September 2019, prosecutors charged Diess and the supervisory board chairman Hans Dieter Pötsch regarding the manipulation of diesel emissions. The legal challenge stemmed from allegations that executives withheld financial information from shareholders concerning the costs of the emissions scandal, which cost the company over $30 billion and caused share prices to drop by 40 per cent. The company contested the findings, maintaining that internal and external investigations proved the claims were groundless. The proceedings concluded in 2020 when Volkswagen paid a €9 million fine. In July 2022, following pressure from labor representatives, the company announced his resignation, effective at the end of August, with Oliver Blume named as his successor.
Recent Appointments
Following his exit from Volkswagen, Diess remained within the automotive industry. In January 2024, he joined The Mobility House, a company focused on electromobility, serving as the executive chairman of the board.
Fast facts
- Born: 1958, Munich
- Citizenship: Austria
- Occupations: Engineer, entrepreneur, industrialist
- Former Employer: BMW
- Former Employer: Robert Bosch
- Volkswagen Group Chairperson: 2018-2022
- Current Position: Executive Chairman, The Mobility House
Questions readers ask
What led to the resignation of Herbert Diess from Volkswagen?
He resigned in July 2022 following discontent from labor representatives.
What legal issues did Diess face at Volkswagen?
He was prosecuted in 2019 for withholding financial information related to the diesel emissions scandal, but the case ended in 2020 after the company paid a €9 million fine.
Achievements
- Affiliated with Volkswagen Group, Robert Bosch and BMW
