The VW works council is insisting that Volkswagen Chief Executive Oliver Blume give up his role as head of Porsche—amid reports that the company is actively searching for a successor.
The details: The works council, the employee-represented body within the VW Group, made the demand at a Tuesday meeting—pointing to growing concerns with Blume’s dual role at both Volkswagen and Porsche.
Blume has served as head of Porsche since 2015.
He was appointed chief executive of VW in 2022.
Blume’s double duty has been a flashpoint for shareholders and workers ever since Porsche listed as a separate company in 2022, though Volkswagen retained majority ownership.
What they’re saying: “The chief executive cannot be a part-time boss in Wolfsburg and spend the rest of his time at Porsche," said works council's chairwoman, Daniela Cavallo, via Reuters. “The situation must end.”
Why it matters: The push for Blume to step back from Porsche could benefit both brands—especially as each faces challenges in key markets. VW sales in North America fell 17% in the first half of 2025, while Porsche’s sales in China dropped 28% over the same period.
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Between the lines: The search for Blume’s successor at Porsche has accelerated, with reports that the candidate list has already been narrowed down to two people.
One contender comes from inside the company, the other from outside—though names haven’t been disclosed.
Blume himself is said to be part of the recruitment process, alongside VW Supervisory Board Chairman Hans Dieter Pötsch.
Representatives of the Porsche and Piëch families, as well as the works council, are also involved.
Bottom line: Blume is expected to exit his Porsche role before the end of the year—freeing him to focus entirely on VW, while a new leader charts Porsche’s course through mounting headwinds.
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