A New Era for Bugatti
Bugatti finds new leadership as it heads into a new era with its well-received vehicle, Chiron.
For five years Wolfgang Dürheimer has lead Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S to burgeoning success. Now, at his own request, Dürheimer is stepping down to be replaced by Stephan Winkelmann.
Dürheimer worked in the automobile industry for the majority of his life. Starting at BMW in 1989, Dürheimer worked his way through various managerial positions. In 1999, he moved onto Porsche AG, where he would become Member of the Executive Board for Research and Development in 2001. From there, Dürheimer became President of Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S., Chairman and Chief Executive of Bentley Motors and Chief Representative of the Volkswagen Group, heading the Group’s motorsports activities. In 2012, Dürheimer was appointed Member of the Board of Management for Technical Development of Audi AG. Two years later he returned to his former positions at Bugatti and Bentley, where his responsibilities included the development and launch of the Bugatti Chiron.
Matthias Müller, Chairman of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen Group, had this to say about Dürheimer retiring, “I accept Wolfgang Dürheimer’s wish to retire. I sincerely thank him for the outstanding work he has done in various positions in the Volkswagen Group over 18 years.” Dürheimer completed Bugatti’s run of the Veyron, and of the Chiron, a new and exciting chapter for the brand.
Dürheimer’s replacement, Winkelmann, is no stranger to luxury automobiles. Winkelmann has been managing director of Audi Sport GmbH since the spring of 2016. Prior to that, Winkelmann was President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. for 11 years, leading the brand to become one of the world’s biggest manufacturers of super sports cars, as well as working for Fiat in various positions, including CEO of Fiat Auto Austria, Switzerland and Germany.
“With Stephan Winkelmann, a proven expert in sports cars and the luxury sector is coming to Bugatti,” continues Matthias Müller. “I am convinced that Stephan Winkelmann will use his many years of experience in these fields, as well as his sense of dealing with an exclusive clientele and his deep understanding for brands, to bring new momentum to Bugatti’s further development and to lead this special brand into a sustainable future.”
photos courtesy of bugatti
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