After almost five years, Bernhard Maier is leaving the highest position in Škoda Auto in Mladá Boleslav. He became the head of the Czech carmaker in November 2015, when he replaced the outgoing Winfried Vahland.
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And under his leadership, Škoda stepped forward more, launching the Kodiaq, Karoq or Kamiq SUVs and also focusing on electromobility, digitization and connectivity. His last day behind the wheel of a Škoda Auto will be July 31st.
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“It is leaving the company as stronger and more significant than it was before it started,” says Petr Knap, managing partner for the automotive sector at EY, evaluating Maier’s five-year plan.
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What led to Maier’s departure? There is speculation about a big power game within VW.
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It is nothing tragic or unexpected. First, the people in the VW positions change in a cycle of three to five years, so this was expected. There is definitely no trouble behind his departure. In addition, he probably has a career within the group. It is speculated that he will return as a boss to Porsche, from where he came to Škoda.
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Why is he going to Porsche?
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The main reason is the transfer of the current Porsche boss to VW management. From the position of the management of Škoda Auto, it should continue to focus only on a relatively limited number of top positions in the VW brands or in the broader management of the concern.
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Who could replace him at the head of the largest Czech carmaker?
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There are two to three names – either from the group or from the Škoda Board of Directors. An experienced manager with international experience and a feeling for new projects and innovations will definitely be suitable for the position. At the same time, however, he will have to be able to keep Škoda at high speed and not be afraid of unpopular measures.
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In what condition does Maier leave Škoda Auto?
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He leaves it as a stronger and more important brand than it was before his arrival. Some things have already been linked by his predecessor, but he has tightened them correctly and completed his own imprint. One of his main priorities was digitization. And there he was successful. Let’s take DigiLab, a connection to the Israeli startup scene, in addition, since last year, Škoda has been responsible for the entire group for huge and important markets – Russian and Indian.
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The local markets are not among the most demanding. How was Škoda doing in Western Europe?
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I also consider this to be an essential and positive aspect, the Škoda brand has really strengthened in a number of important markets in Western Europe, which is crucial for the carmaker. This means, for example, in the British Isles that we can observe a truly significant product offensive in general.
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Škoda is part of the VW Group, so it is also affected by its problems. In what situation is the whole concern now?
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All major brands will face major challenges for the next two to three years, with tens of millions of cars expected to decline in three years. But due to its size and diversified portfolio of brands, VW will be one of the companies that has the chance to do it best.
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A coronavirus pandemic will hurt all manufacturers, what exactly is VW’s problem with?
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I see the number one problem with the software and the launch of the main electric model ID.3. Its launch is delayed, instead of June it will be in September at the earliest. And there is still the well-known Dieselgate case in the background, where the victims have a chance to continue to claim damages.
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