Volkswagen Group Australia (VGA), the nation’s biggest European auto importer, today announces Karsten Seifert as its new Managing Director.
Mr Seifert arrives from Hanover, where he has since 2020 been Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ Executive Director of European and international sales.
He has extensive experience with the Volkswagen Group in numerous leadership roles. He has worked for a variety of brands from Volkswagen, Audi and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. Karsten has also been Executive Director of Commercial Vehicle’s European Fleet Business, Head of Fleet and Business Development for Europe as well as Head of Market Planning Sales for North and South America.
He has previously been stationed in South Korea as well as working closely with South America and specific projects in India, which have allowed Karsten to gain intensive international market knowledge.
Mr Seifert arrives in Australia next month.
VGA’s Chief Financial Officer, Gabriele De Neidels, has been the interim Managing Director. Mr Seifert thanked her for her leadership during the past year.
“VGA has emerged from the critical supply issues of the past few years in a strong position to transform into a leading provider of Battery Electric Vehicles, while continuing to offer a conventional passenger and commercial model portfolio that is also unmatched,” Mr Seifert said.
“Audi and CUPRA have BEVs in market today with more models scheduled; Volkswagen will have an array of BEV models in Australia by 2025 and SKODA at least two. In five years, VGA will be selling more BEVs than conventional vehicles.”
VGA employs some 300 people on staff to handle all aspects of VGA’s operations – supporting sales growth, dealership networks, customer experience, service facilities and media/public communications. Thousands are employed through the more than 180 brand dealerships nationwide.
