VW Names Ex-BMW, Volvo Exec to Head R&D in China

Volkswagen AG has hired Thomas Mueller to integrate and head the group’s product development in China. He began his new job on July 1.

Mueller will head an initiative to create a local r&d center in China that taps the existing capabilities of the VW Group and its Audi and VW brand units.

“We will no longer rely on carryover solutions from Europe,” says Stephan Wollenstein, CEO of Volkswagen Group China. In some cases, the new China-based r&d center will develop technologies for the company in other markets, he says.

Mueller joined VW Group three years ago as head of electronics at Audi. He previously headed electronics and e-propulsion at Volvo Car Corp. He came to Volvo from BMW.