Volkswagen Group Australia has confirmed a planned leadership transition, with Managing Director Karsten Seifert set to leave the role at the end of December 2025 to take up a new position at the headquarters of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles in Hannover, Germany, from 2026 .
The company said the move forms part of its broader strategic roadmap and reflects an orderly transition, rather than an unexpected change in direction. During his tenure, Seifert led a period of increased focus on locally driven strategies and electrification across Volkswagen Group Australia’s portfolio of brands.
Over the past two years, Volkswagen Group Australia progressed its battery electric vehicle strategy and ON EV program, positioning the business around long-term sustainability objectives. The company also highlighted milestones achieved under Seifert’s leadership, including two Guinness World Records in 2024 involving the Volkswagen ID.4 and Amarok, and stronger cooperation across brands, dealers, and partners .
From a fleet perspective, this period has coincided with growing emphasis on electrification planning, retail network capability, and alignment between passenger and commercial vehicle operations — all relevant considerations for Fleet Managers and Procurement Managers assessing long-term supplier stability.
To ensure continuity, Jeff Mannering, Brand Director of Audi Australia, will step into the role of interim Managing Director of Volkswagen Group Australia while continuing his Audi responsibilities. Volkswagen Group Australia said Mannering’s experience in the local market would provide stability during the transition period .
The appointment of a permanent successor, along with commencement timing, will be announced at a later date.
For fleet buyers, the announcement signals business-as-usual operations in the short term, with the group indicating that its existing strategy and momentum in Australia will continue as planned.
