Could VW's Bernahrd be heading back to Chrysler?

[nadepalma]

SOURCE: http://today.reuters.com/news/articl...H-DAIMLERC.xml

Originally Posted by Reuters

VW brand head in talks with DaimlerChrysler

FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Volkwagen (VOWG.DE: Quote, Profile , Research) brand group chief Wolfgang Bernhard has met with DaimlerChrysler (DCXGn.DE: Quote, Profile , Research) head Dieter Zetsche to discuss his possible return to DaimlerChrysler, German magazine Automobilwoche said on Saturday.

The magazine also said Bernhard was in talks with Volkswagen about annulling his contract and that negotiations centered around a competition clause in it, which could prevent him from joining a rival car maker for up to two years.

Volkswagen announced last month that Chief Executive Bernd Pischetsrieder, who brought restructuring expert Bernhard into the group, would step down at the year's end and be replaced by Audi head Martin Winterkorn.

Since then, there has been mounting speculation in the German media that Bernhard, who used to work for DaimlerChrysler, could also be leaving Volkswagen.

Automobilwoche said Bernhard could be a successor to Chrysler's Tom LaSorda after big losses as the U.S. carmaker.

Bernhard used to be Chrysler's chief operating officer and was a prime architect of the U.S. carmaker's turnaround early this decade when Zetsche was Chrysler head.

Bernhard was poised to moved to Stuttgart as lead the group's premium Mercedes Car Group when he was ditched at the last moment in a management shakeup in April 2004.

Labor representatives were leery of him after he was reported as saying former crown jewel Mercedes was a "restructuring case".

Volkswagen's Pischetsrieder lured him to VW with the job of heading the Volkswagen brand group, where he has slashed costs and boosted efficiency amid a steady earnings rebound.

DaimlerChrysler declined to comment, while a Volkswagen spokesman reiterated Bernhard had made it clear speculation would be no cause for him to put his duties and his responsibility into question.

In a separate report, Automobilwoche said Volkswagen's new head Winterkorn was considering a sale of its Spanish SEAT unit.

But in October, Pischetsrieder told another German magazine he doubted it would be possible to find a buyer for loss-making SEAT and Volkswagen remained committed to it.

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Originally Posted by AutoChannel

SOURCE: http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2...04/030565.html

Could VW's Bernhard Be Headed Back to Motown?

Washington DC December 4, 2006; The AIADA newsletter reported that according to a report in German magazine Automobilwoche this Saturday, Volkwagen brand chief Wolfgang Bernhard has met with Dieter Zetsche to discuss a possible return to DaimlerChrysler's Chrysler Group, the company where Bernhard, as COO, first drew fame as a turnaround specialist for the brand early this decade.

The mag, reports Reuters, also indicated that Bernhard was in talks with Volkswagen to annul his contract, but that negotiations centered around a two-year competition clause, which could prevent him from joining a rival car maker.

Automobilwoche said Bernhard could be a successor to Chrysler's Tom LaSorda after big losses as the U.S. carmaker.

[T-Type]

I would say there is a very good chance of this if he can work out the contract issue. The reason he left DCX was that VW promised him the top job at some future date. With Winterkorn getting the job, those hopes are dashed at VW.

I wonder if GM (or Ford) will make a play for him. It would be a longshot, but I think it would be worth a try.

[nadepalma]

I think this would be an interesting turn of events if true. We all thought there was a chance he'd go back -- but back to run Merceds Group at DCX. If he goes and runs Chrysler it would certainly speak badly of LaSorda.

Nevertheless Wolfgang seems to be more than compotent. Perhaps this would be their last ditch effort to revive their operations before the overlords in Germany decide to spin off the company.

[mikesright]

I heard on Autoline Detroit that Bernhard could move to GM to possibly run GM Europe, and would possibly be a successor to Lutz after he leaves GM to retire.

[Quickening]

No, Lutz will never leave. We will sustain him though some amazing technology...thats where GM's money has been going to be prepared to keep Lutz going.

sorry..lol

[GM-10]

I'd be surprised if GM didn't try to pick him up. If he were number two at GM he would be an heir apparent for Wagoner's job and he would also be able to take some pressure off Lutz.

[nadepalma]

Originally Posted by mikesright

I heard on Autoline Detroit that Bernhard could move to GM to possibly run GM Europe, and would possibly be a successor to Lutz after he leaves GM to retire.

That's great if it were true, but I wonder what that would do to Carl-Peter Forester? Isn't he running GM Euorpe and doing a good job of it? Forester was running only Opel, but now he's also VP of GM Europe and a former BMW man. I wonder how this would go over if he decided to do that?

Eventually GM will need a Lutz successor, but as far as influence goes, they need "Lots of Lutz's" so that the creative juices aren't necessarily consolidated in one person.

[DuSpinnst]

I said it last week, and I am saying it again. Bernhard will replace LaSorda as CEO of Chrysler Group after the first of the year. Although it would be nice for him to go to GM Europe, but I don't see that happening.

[nadepalma]

Originally Posted by Quickening

No, Lutz will never leave. We will sustain him though some amazing technology...thats where GM's money has been going to be prepared to keep Lutz going.

sorry..lol

LOL, "Gentlemen, we can rebuild him, we can make him better"!

thanks for the laugh

[nadepalma]

Originally Posted by DuSpinnst

I said it last week, and I am saying it again. Bernhard will replace LaSorda as CEO of Chrysler Group after the first of the year. Although it would be nice for him to go to GM Europe, but I don't see that happening.

If you were to look at it from the "where he would do the most good" perspective, then moving him to Chrysler would be the best move (even though I'd love for him to head to GM).

Nevertheless, I wonder what they'd do with LaSorda? They said he was the "future leader, blah, blah, blah" before Zeitsche left. I wonder if they'll make him Chairman and let Wolfgang take the CEO post? Kinda like what Bill Ford did when he brough on Mulally?

That is, of course, if they are looking to help the man save face rather than dismiss him altogether like they did Jim Holden and Tom Stallkamp back in the day post-merger.

[nadepalma]

Originally Posted by T-Type

I would say there is a very good chance of this if he can work out the contract issue.

Contract issues hold lots of folks back. When Ford of Europe canned their head-man Martin Leach, they did so with that contractual stipulation. That move was what prevented Leach from running Fiat Auto when Giovanna and Umberto Agnelli came calling. The guy ended up at Maserati, was then fired and then showed up at some Russian outfit for Europe. Goes to show you how something like that can prevent you from striking when the iron is hot, you know?

[T-Type]

Originally Posted by nadepalma

Nevertheless, I wonder what they'd do with LaSorda? They said he was the "future leader, blah, blah, blah" before Zeitsche left. I wonder if they'll make him Chairman and let Wolfgang take the CEO post? Kinda like what Bill Ford did when he brough on Mulally?

All that talk means nothing. They'll do whatever they want to do. Most likely they'll just flat out get rid of LaSorda (albiet with a golden parachute). Chrysler is doing piss poor under his watch and he doesn't have any 'protectors/friends' at Daimler.

[nadepalma]

Originally Posted by T-Type

All that talk means nothing. They'll do whatever they want to do. Most likely they'll just flat out get rid of LaSorda (albiet with a golden parachute). Chrysler is doing piss poor under his watch and he doesn't have any 'protectors/friends' at Daimler.

I see what you mean and I agree with you. But problems don't happen overnight. Arguably you could probably make the case that the problems over at Chrysler really really took root while Zetsche was there, you know what I mean? It may have gotten drastically worse at Chrysler under LaSorda's watch, but who knows if the "seed" for the problems didn't exist before "Dr. Z" went off to Stutgart.

Just playing devil's advocate. Not really pointing fingers here.

[Stéphane Dumas]

Originally Posted by nadepalma

If you were to look at it from the "where he would do the most good" perspective, then moving him to Chrysler would be the best move (even though I'd love for him to head to GM).

Nevertheless, I wonder what they'd do with LaSorda? They said he was the "future leader, blah, blah, blah" before Zeitsche left. I wonder if they'll make him Chairman and let Wolfgang take the CEO post? Kinda like what Bill Ford did when he brough on Mulally?

I'd love him to head to GM too although being back to DCX will be good as well. I prefer that then applying for "toyonda"

Interesting possibility then you mentionned about Wolfgang is the CEO post while Zetsche is the Chairman. This scenario could happen.

[steverino]

Originally Posted by T-Type

I would say there is a very good chance of this if he can work out the contract issue. The reason he left DCX was that VW promised him the top job at some future date. With Winterkorn getting the job, those hopes are dashed at VW.

I wonder if GM (or Ford) will make a play for him. It would be a longshot, but I think it would be worth a try.

GM had a shot at him in April '04, when Mercedes let him go, and took a pass then. Maybe circumstances have changed but I'm sure he's looking for the top job