Ever since Ferdinand Piech, Volkswagen Board Chairman, resigned following a long, tension-packed interval and a confrontation with CEO Martin Winterkorn, the group’s chief stayed away from the public eye. Taking place at the unveiling of the company’s new communication platform in Berlin, Winterkorn’s first public appearance since the conflict was shared with the automaker’s new celebrity ambassador, Robbie Williams.
The Volkswagen Group Forum DRIVE is the giant’s new communication platform in Berlin, a place that officially opens tomorrow, May 1st. It will roof 12 Group brands as well as the Financial Services AT. The VIP unveiling of the new headquarter was held Tuesday, at a special party where a few hundred people attended.
One of the people who recently got on board of the huge VW “ship”, Robbie Williams was the person to get all the spotlight and all the attention, as he’d entertain the crowd and explain how he became the brand ambassador.
We're not saying the celebrity factor doesn't have its fair share of importance, but the short and subtle appearance of Volkswagen CEO’s appearance sure was interesting.
As we previously reported, the relationship between the former executive of the company and Winterkorn deteriorated dramatically over different views on how to make full use of the US market.
A grandson of the visionary Ferdinand Porsche, Piech was known for previously stepping up against crossing attempts from fellow executives, so his resignation was quite unexpected.
With Winterkon’s public appearance, as abbreviated as it was according to Die Welt, sets one thing straight: the company moves forward, things came at peace. At least for now, that is, considering Piech and the Porsche families own the majority of VW Group stakes.
As to the newly renovated Volkswagen Group Forum DRIVE on the Unter den Linden street, well, it's pure marketing. According to the company’s press release, it will offer its visitors a glimpse into the diverse vision and topics of the Group. It also welcomes its guests “with a new culinary program as well as modern convention facilities”.
Google News