Steffen Knapp, left, with Niels Wichmann
Niels Wichmann has been appointed as the new head of the Volkswagen passenger cars brand for Volkswagen Group South Africa (VWSA), effective August 1.
Wichmann replaces Steffen Knapp, who will become the brand head of Volkswagen Taiwan.
Wichmann, 51, joins VWSA from Volkswagen’s headquarters in Wolfsburg, Germany, where he was the head of product marketing for small/compact cars such as the 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,” says VWSA sales and marketing director Thomas Milz.
“He will also play an important role in our growth strategy in sub-Saharan Africa.”