Porsche has solidified its new CEO, finally putting concerns to rest about the dual roles of its longtime boss, Oliver Blume—as the company looks to regain traction globally.
The details: The automaker announced last week that former McLaren boss Michael Leiters will replace Blume, who also serves as head of Volkswagen—a dual role that has fueled mounting pressure for him to relinquish his position at Porsche.
Shares at Volkswagen have dropped almost 30% since Blume assumed the CEO role three years ago, while Porsche’s stock has halved since its 2022 listing, reports the Wall Street Journal.
Porsche’s challenges also include another profit warning, weak sales in China, and an EV strategy that hasn’t yet met expectations.
What they’re saying: “As CEO of Porsche AG, Dr. Oliver Blume has taken great responsibility in challenging times and successfully managed the company,” an official company statement reads. “The Supervisory Board of Porsche AG would like to thank Dr. Blume for his strong commitment. We look forward to continuing to work closely and trustingly with him as CEO of Volkswagen Group.”
Why it matters: The leadership change ends months of investor uncertainty and governance criticism over Blume’s dual roles, signaling a clearer strategic focus for Porsche.
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Between the lines: The decision to appoint Leiters to steer Porsche’s turnaround could bode well for the company in several ways, analysts note.
Prior to his stints at McLaren and Ferrari (where he helped develop the SF90 and 296 hybrids) Leiters worked at Porsche between 2000 and 2013, contributing to the creation of the Cayenne Hybrid.
Leiters’ blend of engineering expertise and luxury-sport experience, coupled with his familiarity with Porsche’s DNA, positions him well to guide the brand’s recovery.
His background with hybrid technology aligns closely with Porsche’s evolving powertrain strategy as it shifts focus back toward gas-powered models and hybrids.
Bottom line: A more focused Porsche leadership could accelerate product decisions, improve supply consistency, and strengthen dealer relations after a period of divided executive attention. With Leiters bringing a performance-driven background from McLaren, dealers may see renewed energy in brand positioning, retail support, and model strategy heading into 2026.
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