OCTOBER 30, 2001

Volkswagen's head of communications departs

VOLKSWAGEN is to have a new image-maker at the end of the year, following the announcement that the current head of communications at the Hannover company Klaus Kochs is to leave. In April next year Bernd Pischetsrieder will step in to replace chief executive Ferdinand Piech and there have been rumors in recent days that the former BMW chief executive will want to get rid of some of the other VW board members. Reports in the Financial Times this week suggest that the victims will include chief financial officer Bruno Adelt and the company's head of marketing Dr. Robert Buchelhofer. Pischetsrieder says that he intends to completely revamp the VW brands to give them more individuality and it is expected that one of the brands will be used in Formula 1. The most likely choice would be luxury car maker Audi, which is in direct competition with BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Jaguar although it is possible that VW might look at using the Lamborghini or Bugatti names which it also owns.

It is expected that Seat will be used in the World Rally Championship.