Volkswagen Group Australia has appointed Marcus Osegowitsch as its new Managing Director, effective 1 April 2026, signalling a leadership transition at a time when the local automotive market is becoming more competitive and increasingly focused on electrification and customer experience.
The appointment follows a period of interim leadership by Jeff Mannering, who will now return to his role as Brand Director of Audi Australia.
Global Experience Brought to the Australian Market
Osegowitsch brings more than three decades of experience within the Volkswagen Group, including senior executive roles across Europe and other major international markets. His background includes leadership positions as Managing Director of Volkswagen Group Italia and General Director of Volkswagen Group Russia, where he oversaw multi-brand operations covering production, sales and brand management.
Earlier in his career, he also worked in Group Sales and Supply Chain and served as a Partner at an international consulting firm advising automotive and industrial clients on strategy and organisational transformation.
For fleet buyers and procurement teams, leadership experience across multiple markets can be relevant when assessing long-term supplier capability. It often reflects exposure to different regulatory environments, supply chain challenges and customer expectations—factors that influence product availability, service support and pricing stability.
Focus on Customers and Market Position
Marcus Osegowitsch, Managing Director at Volkswagen Group Australia, said the Australian market presents strong opportunities for growth and innovation.
“Australia is one of the most exciting and important markets for the Volkswagen Group.”
Marcus Osegowitsch, Managing Director at Volkswagen Group Australia
He indicated that the organisation intends to strengthen relationships with customers and partners while building on the existing brand portfolio, which includes Volkswagen Passenger Vehicles, Audi, Škoda, CUPRA and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.
“Our priority is to deepen our engagement with Australian customers and deliver mobility solutions, service excellence and brand experiences that truly reflect their needs today and tomorrow.”
What This Means for Fleet Buyers
From a fleet perspective, leadership changes at major importers are worth monitoring because they often influence strategic priorities such as:
- Vehicle availability and product mix, particularly as manufacturers balance ICE, hybrid and electric models
- Dealer network investment, which affects service coverage and uptime for distributed fleets
- Customer experience initiatives, including digital platforms and aftersales programs
- Electrification strategy, which will shape future vehicle options and whole-of-life cost comparisons
Volkswagen Group Australia has indicated that under the new leadership it will continue to advance its electric mobility plans, strengthen its dealer network and improve customer experience across its brands.
