Volkswagen Group has announced that Dr. Werner Tietz, currently the Executive Board Member for Research and Development at SEAT S.A., will take on the additional role of Head of Group Research and Development at Volkswagen Group, effective July 1, 2025.
Dr. Tietz brings more than three decades of technical and strategic experience within the Volkswagen Group. Since joining the company in 1994, he has held major roles at Audi, Porsche, Bentley, and SEAT/CUPRA. At Audi, he was in charge of vehicle interiors. At Porsche, he helped lead the development of the Taycan and drove innovations in materials and design. His tenure at Bentley focused on establishing a forward-looking development strategy, particularly around electrification.
“With his vision, technical expertise, and more than three decades of experience within the Volkswagen Group, Werner Tietz has played a key role in shaping the innovative strength of brands such as Audi, Porsche, Bentley and SEAT/CUPRA. His work stands for forward-looking development, from sustainable materials to electrification strategy. With this extensive expertise, he will continue to drive forward research and development at the Volkswagen Group,” says Dr. Oliver Blume, CEO of the Volkswagen Group.
The Group has invested heavily in high-performance electronic architectures, battery technology, and autonomous driving systems – areas Tietz is expected to prioritise in his new role. His leadership is also likely to influence material innovation and the Group’s sustainability strategy, key pillars of Volkswagen’s long-term roadmap.
Tietz succeeds Dr. Michael Steiner, who is stepping down from the group-wide role to become Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board at Porsche AG. Steiner will continue in his role as Porsche’s Executive Board Member for Research and Development.
Volkswagen’s long-term plan hinges on more than just electric cars. The company is shifting toward a platform-based, software-integrated approach. This means rethinking vehicles from the inside out – aligning hardware, electronics, and software development under unified strategies. Tietz’s multidisciplinary background and history of leading cross-brand initiatives place him in a strong position to coordinate R&D across multiple divisions.
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