Volkswagen Group has announced that Kurt Blumenroder, previously speaker of the management board of IAV GmbH, is to become head of powertrain development of the Volkswagen brand from January 1, 2018. In this position, he succeeds Friedrich Eichler, who was appointed head of chassis development of the Volkswagen brand with effect from September 1.
Blumenroder holds a degree in mechanical and production engineering. He started his career in 1990 with Daimler AG. From 1998 to 2004, he was managing director of Institut für Motorenbau Prof. Huber in Munich. In 2002, he was appointed managing director of Mercedes-Benz Technology, before becoming speaker of the management board of IAV GmbH in 2005.
Friedrich Eichler holds a degree in mechanical engineering and started his career with Volkswagen in 1993. Following positions with Audi and Porsche, he was head of drivetrain development with Mercedes AMG from 2007. With Volkswagen, he was head of gasoline engine development from 2013 and head of powertrain development from 2014.