Skoda Auto CEO Bernhard Maier to step down, effective July 31
Skoda Auto has announced that its CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Bernhard Maier, will step down from his position on July 31. Maier has held this position for five years, his successor will be elected in accordance with Czech law and subsequently announced in August 2020.
Under his leadership, Skoda has had some notable launches. After moving even further away from its budget image in the west, the brand has developed a line of SUVs and begun work with electrified powertrains, including the BEV Enyaq iV. Other notable models from Skoda in the last five years have been the Kodiaq, Karoq, Kamiq and Scala. A heavy focus on digitalisation and connectivity has been another highlight.
Bernhard Maier
In the Indian context, Maier has been at the helm during the VW Group's rethink of its India strategy. This has led to Skoda Auto India leading the group in India and starting work on the crucial MQB-A0-IN architecture.
Maier started his career in 1984 with Nixdorf Computer AG. After a stint at BMW between 1988 to 2001, he moved to Porsche Deutschland GmbH as chairman of the board of management. Then in 2010, he was appointed Board Member for Sales and Marketing at Porsche AG, before his move to Skoda Auto in 2015.
Skoda has not stated any details on why Maier has left the brand, and if he will continue to remain within the Volkswagen Group.
