Hans-Gerd Bode, head of public relations and press at Porsche AG since 2010, has been appointed head of group communications, investor relations and external relations at Volkswagen AG, effective immediately.
The appointment comes as VW continues to reel from an emissions scandal that has tarnished the company’s reputation.
“With Hans-Gerd Bode, another recognized expert is taking over at the helm of communications in our company. He has excellent knowledge of the Group and the automotive industry,” said newly appointed Volkswagen AG CEO Matthias Müller, in a statement released Wednesday.
Bode succeeds chief communications officer Stephan Grühsem, who had led communications at Volkswagen AG since 2007. According to the Volkswagen statement, Grühsem has left the company with an "amicable agreement."
Prior to Porsche, Bode was with Mercedes-Benz AG, which he joined in 1996. He moved to Volkswagen AG in 1999, where he was in charge of the automaker's brand and product communications.
Initially, Bode will need to stem the damage resulting from the emissions scandal, which has affected 11 million cars worldwide. The German automaker allegedly used computer software to rig diesel emissions in order to cheat U.S. emission tests.
The company now faces a deluge of recalls and potential lawsuits, not to mention a criminal investigation opened by the U.S. Department of Justice. The scandal has sent the company’s stock price plummeting, and has resulted in management mutiny.
Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn stepped down last week amid the growing scandal. Matthias Muller, Porsche AG chief and president since 2010, was named his successor two days later.
On Wednesday, Muller announced an “action plan” to address the crisis.
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