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He later became a member of the
senior management team responsible for research, development and
project management. In 1999, Mr Dürheimer moved to Porsche,
taking management responsibility for the iconic 911 product
line. Since 2001 he has been a Member of the Board responsible
for Research, Development and Product Management. Under his
management new models and product lines have been developed
which have strengthened the success of the Porsche brand.
Speaking about the appointment,
the Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG,
Professor Dr Martin Winterkorn said: “Wolfgang Dürheimer
personifies the outstanding technical competency of Porsche. He
will bring this expertise and his experience to Bentley and
Bugatti, helping them maintain their leading positions within
the luxury segment.”
Speaking about his new role, Mr
Dürheimer said: “I am flattered by the trust put in me by the
Volkswagen Group. To take charge of a Company such as Bentley is
a significant responsibility. The Company has such an
illustrious history and the developments made over the past few
years have been outstanding. I know I have a lot to learn about
the Brand and the people but hope my experience with Porsche
will serve me well in a new role and a new country.”
Dr Paefgen, who reaches the normal
retirement age of 65 in May, has been asked to remain involved
in the Volkswagen Group and Bentley in particular in an advisory
capacity. This reflects Dr Paefgen’s undoubted experience within
the motor industry during which he has been Chairman of some of
the world’s most illustrious marques including Bentley and
Bugatti but also Audi and Lamborghini. “Over the past 30 years,
he has played a key role in corporate development at the helm of
a number of Group brands.” said Professor Dr Winterkorn.
During his tenure at Bentley, Dr
Paefgen has overseen nothing less than the renaissance of the
Company. Having joined the Company in 2002, Dr Paefgen oversaw
the final stages of Volkswagen’s billion pound investment in
both the Crewe factory and its R&D facilities. The first fruits
of this investment were seen the following year; a victorious
return to Le Mans and the launch of the car that transformed the
Company’s fortunes – the Continental GT. Creating a new market
segment, the GT won Bentley new followers across the world,
increasing sales ten-fold by 2007 and helping the Company
increase its workforce to over 3500. Despite the global economic
downturn, Bentley has continued to invest in new products
including the new Continental GT which was launched in Paris
this year and the flagship Mulsanne, which Dr Paefgen described
as containing “everything I know about the creation of cars”.
“It has been a privilege to have
been a small part of the story of Bentley”, said Dr Paefgen.
“During my time here we have had some tremendous successes and
inevitably faced some real challenges. However, it is the skill,
the commitment and the passion of everyone at Crewe that I will
treasure the most. In Wolfgang Dürheimer I am convinced we have
an individual with a feel for the both the Brand and what makes
Bentleys special. The company is in very capable hands.”
Wolfgang Dürheimer is a native of
Bavaria in Germany and is married with two grown up children. He
will commence the leadership of Bentley Motors on 1st February
2011.
Photos: VW
(November 29, 2010)
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