Volkswagen's new production leadership: From Palmela to Martorell

The future of small electric cars from the Volkswagen Group is being shaped on the Iberian Peninsula. In 2025, the ID.Polo and Cupra Raval are set to start production in Martorell, followed a year later by the ID.1 from the plant in Palmela, Portugal. Additionally, there is the plant in Pamplona. André Kleb is set to take over overall responsibility for the production of these three plants in the future. Since 2021, he has been leading vehicle project management as well as planning and production technology for the VW brand. His new position as 'Chief Production Officer' has not existed in this form before. Thomas Schäfer, CEO of the Brand Group Core, comments on the strategic realignment on LinkedIn: 'When I took over the position to lead our Brand Group Core, we began to rethink our collaboration. Our goal: to become more efficient, unlock real synergies, and create strong brands that are clearly differentiated for customers - all supported by a lean, powerful engine room in the background. Today, we are taking the next big step.'

Inside Palmela: How VW transformed a 30-year-old factory for net zero

From geothermal networks to electrified paintshops and closed-loop metal recycling, Volkswagen's Palmela plant demonstrates how legacy factories can achieve significant decarbonisation - while confronting hard truths about polymer contamination and circularity limits.

Volkswagen Autoeuropa gets new head as Hegel Gunther moves to Wolfsburg

The two other personnel changes concern Thomas Hegel Gunther, previously plant manager in Palmela, and Anabel Andión Lomero. Hegel Gunther is moving to Wolfsburg to take over the management of planning and production technology for the Volkswagen passenger car brand, directly succeeding André Kleb. Under Hegel Gunther's leadership, the Palmela plant has developed into one of the group's most efficient locations in recent years. “After the successful launch of the new T-Roc, now is the right time to benefit from Thomas Hegel Gunther's expertise in introducing efficient production structures,” emphasises Christian Vollmer, head of production. Anabel Andión Lomero will take over the management and plant management of Volkswagen Autoeuropa on 1 March 2026.

The experienced production manager most recently led the pre-series centre for Seat and Cupra and was responsible for digital manufacturing in the Audi pre-series area in Ingolstadt, among other things. Her role in building the VSC in Martorell makes her a key figure for the upcoming model launches of the Electric Urban Car Family.

The structural changes on the Iberian Peninsula are being brought together by the newly created role of André Kleb. From January 2026, he will take on the regional overall responsibility for production and logistics. Kleb is to integrate the Martorell, Pamplona, and Palmela plants into a cross-brand control model and strategically align the production lines of the upcoming small EV generation.

This will make Kleb the central architect of a new production network, which will be responsible for the electric entry-level series of the Volkswagen Group in the future - and a key figure in a structure that aims to make the Brand Group Core more efficient, flexible, and regionally powerful.

“We cannot afford to make any mistakes” - Volkswagen’s Portugal boss Thomas Hegel Gunther

It’s not easy being the manager of a VW plant these days. In an interview, Volkswagen’s Portugal boss Thomas Hegel Gunther explains what makes the home of the T-Roc so special and how his team is continually increasing effectiveness through various lean principles.