Marcus Hafkemeyer wins
Volkswagen Group has appointed Thomas Ulbricht as Chief Technology Officer in China, taking up his post from April 1, 2024, succeeding Markus Huffkemeyer, who will support the company's transition to a new position on the board, the company explained. Report.
The German manufacturer points out that it is looking to strengthen its technology development team in the China region as part of its 'In China, for China' strategy. Thomas Ulbricht, a former member of the Volkswagen brand management team responsible for 'New Mobility', will direct the group's technology development in the Asian country.
In his new position, Ulbricht, who has already held two executive positions for the group in China, will continue the technical localization of the range, he explained in the statement.
CEO of VCTC
In his new role, Thomas Ulbricht will also be CEO of Volkswagen China Technology Company (VCTC) in Hefei, eastern China. The group's largest development center outside of Germany is the Volkswagen Group's central development unit in China, which focuses directly on intelligent and fully connected electric vehicles.
Therefore, VCTC will play an important role in developing specific models for China. One of the things being developed there is the first local electric base, which will form the basis of new Volkswagen brand models in China from 2026, the group details.
Also, by using efficient development processes and using cutting-edge technologies, VCTC will reduce time to market of vehicles and components by 30%, he added.
Volkswagen notes that this way SAIC Volkswagen will “further integrate” by closely intertwining development work with joint ventures FAW-Volkswagen and Volkswagen Anhui, as well as Gotion (batteries) and Chinese car manufacturer Xpeng.
Partners Horizon Robotics (autonomous driving), ARK (user experience) and Thundersoft (infotainment) will work closely with Cariad, Volkswagen's software division.
Finally, the automaker explains that after a first phase, the 'New Mobility' department of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand's management team will be transferred to Technology Development (TE) to guarantee efficient structures and a more solid interconnection.
Thomas Ulbricht specifically tests and establishes new software development processes for electric vehicles based on the MEB platform in the 'New Mobility' division. The transfer of these functions to the MQBevo has already gone ahead as planned, and Volkswagen says the mission of the 'new mobility' division has been fulfilled.
Kai Grünitz, member of the management team responsible for technological development of the Volkswagen brand, will manage the technology projects for future technologies and developments under one roof in the future.
