Werner Tietz To Lead Volkswagen Group R&D, Replacing Michael Steiner

Dr. Werner Tietz, currently Member of the Executive Board for Research and Development at SEAT S.A., will assume additional responsibilities as Head of Group Research and Development at the Volkswagen Group starting July 1, 2025. He will also join the extended Group Executive Board in this new capacity.

This change comes as Dr. Michael Steiner steps down from the Group-level R&D role. Steiner will continue to serve as Member of the Executive Board for Research and Development at Porsche AG and take on a new role as Deputy Chairman of Porsche’s Executive Board.

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Dr. Tietz holds a doctorate in engineering from RWTH Aachen University. He joined the Volkswagen Group in 1994 and has worked in various roles at Audi, Porsche, and Bentley. His responsibilities have included work on interiors, body design, and development strategies, including early involvement in electrification planning.

Before joining SEAT S.A., Tietz was part of the Bentley Executive Committee, where he led the development department. His role involved building a new development strategy and initiating projects focused on future technologies.

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Dr. Steiner will focus on responsibilities within Porsche AG. He holds a doctorate in engineering from the Technical University of Munich and has been with Porsche since 2002. Steiner joined the Executive Board for Research and Development at Porsche in 2016 and took on the Group-level R&D role in 2022. With this change, his focus returns fully to Porsche operations, now with the added responsibility as Deputy Chairman.

Dr. Oliver Blume, CEO of the Volkswagen Group, said, “With his vision, technical expertise, and more than three decades of experience within the Volkswagen Group, Werner Tietz has played a key role in shaping the innovative strength of brands such as Audi, Porsche, Bentley and SEAT/CUPRA. His work stands for forward-looking development, from sustainable materials to electrification strategy. With this extensive expertise, he will continue to drive forward research and development at the Volkswagen Group.”

Both executives will hold dual roles. Tietz will remain in his current position at SEAT S.A. while leading Group R&D. Steiner will retain his R&D role at Porsche AG while stepping into the Deputy Chairman position.