Thomas Schaefer is leaving Volkswagen Group South Africa (VWSA) to join ŠKODA Auto as the new Global CEO effective the third of August 2020.
Schaefer has been the Chairman and Managing Director of Uitenhage-based VWSA since February 2015.
In 2017, his role was expanded to include the responsibility for Sub Saharan Africa as part of Volkswagen’s expansion strategy into the region.
Since then, Volkswagen has established its presence in Kenya, Rwanda and Ghana, and has signed Memorandums of Understanding with the governments of Nigeria and Ethiopia.
Schaefer will be succeeded by Dr Robert Cisek who is currently responsible for the Production Strategy of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars Brand in Wolfsburg, Germany.
During his stay in Nelson Mandela Bay, Schaefer also served a term as President of the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber.
He was instrumental in Volkswagen converting its old factory in Korsten, Port Elizabeth, into a field hospital with thousands of beds for Covid-19 patients.
Schaefer said: "My tenure as the MD of VWSA has been the highlight of my career so far. I am immensely proud to have worked for and led such an impactful and good company. Together with my team, we have moved VWSA forward with outstanding production and sales results which have earned our company recognition locally and abroad."
