Volkswagen Nabs Weyler From BMW To Head Audi Sales

BERLIN July 11, 2003; Dow Jones reported that Volkswagen AG Friday said Ralph Weyler, a former sales executive with rival Bayerische Motoren Werke AG , will head sales of its Audi brand, replacing Georg Flandorfer.

Flandorfer, 57, will take over responsibilities for sales of the entire VW group in Germany. He will report directly to Chief Executive Bernd Pischetsrieder.

The appointments are part of the restructuring of VW's sales force following the sudden departure of board member Robert Buechelhofer in April. Buechelhofer, who headed sales, left following a spat over strategy.

Since Buechelhofer's departure, VW has put more sales responsibility in the hands of its brands, which include Audi, Seat and Skoda.

The appointement of Weyler is somewhat of a coup for VW. Weyler, 50, was head of sales for the BMW and Mini brands in Germany until this week. He will take over the post at Audi Oct. 1.

VW CEO Pischetsrieder was previously head of BMW.

Audi, VW's premium brand, said earlier Friday that it posted record car sales in the first half of 2003 of 388,000 cars, a 1.6% increase from a year ago.

Company Web site: http://www.volkswagen.com