Niels Wichmann has been appointed as the new Head of Volkswagen Passenger Cars Brand effective 1 August 2023.
Wichmann replaces Steffen Knapp who has been appointed as the brand head of Volkswagen Taiwan.
Wichmann, 51, joins Volkswagen Group South Africa (VWSA) from Volkswagen’s headquarters in Wolfsburg where he was head of Product Marketing for small/compact cars such as Polo.
He has been working for Volkswagen since 2000. During this time, Wichmann has held various management positions in sales within the Volkswagen Brand, including a global assignment in Brazil.
“Niels brings with him a wealth of experience in sales and product marketing, which will help us to move the brand to the next level, especially at this time when it is faced with tough competition in the local market.
“He will also play an important role in our growth strategy in sub-Saharan Africa,” said Thomas Milz, VWSA Sales and Marketing Director.
Ethiopia’s decision to prohibit the import of petrol and diesel vehicles in 2024 has set in motion a rapid restructuring of its transport sector, prompting a remarkable surge in the adoption of electric vehicles (EV).
Toyota is accelerating its shift toward a fully circular manufacturing model with the establishment of a new Circular Factory in Walbrzych, Poland.
In the - dare one says - overcrowded bakkie market in South Africa, there is no slow-down in new bakkies coming to the country to take on the very well-established trio occupying the podium positions.
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Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?
George Carlin
Toyota is accelerating its shift toward a fully circular manufacturing model with the establishment of a new Circular Factory in Walbrzych, Poland.
In early 2026, global trade watchers were shaken by a series of dramatic developments in United States (US) and South Africa (SA) economic relations.
Volkswagen Group has confirmed that Andreas Mindt will become its new head of group design on 1 March 2026, marking a planned generational shift at the top of its creative leadership.
