Volkswagen Sets up E-mobility division to Oversee Strategy for Electric vehicles

Volkswagen has set up a new division for e-mobility in view of the growing demand for electric cars worldwide. The company’s goal is to emerge as a market leader in the field of e-mobility and the new company division will be helmed by Thomas Ulbrich, Volkswagen’s former head of production and logistics.

Ulbrich will officially assume his position as the head of the new division from 1 February. As part of his new role, Ulbrich will deal with overseeing Volkswagen’s smooth transition from the production of vehicles powered by combustion engines to those using electric power. He will supervide the implementation of the new MEB platform.

Andreas Tostmann will take over from Ulbrich as the new head of production and logistics. He had previously been the executive vice president of production at Volkswagen’s sister concern, Seat.

As part of its e-mobility strategy, Volkswagen is slated to roll out the MEB platform in 2020 with the launch of the electric ID Crozz SUB and the ID hatchback. Both the models will be productions versions of concept vehicles that were unveiled recently.

Ulbrich’s will have to ensure that the transition of these models from the concept phase to viable production vehicles goes smoothly and it is also likely that he will have to deal with projects like Ionity, a consortium of automotive manufacturers who have agreed to collaborate on setting up an EV fast charger network across Europe and of which Volkswagen is a member.

Ulbricht had joined VW in 1989, and has several increasingly senior roles related to logistics and production during his stint at Volkswagen.