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Martina Biene to succeed Robert Cisek as Managing Director of Volkswagen Group South Africa

  • Robert Cisek appointed as Head of Volkswagen Small and Compact Product Line
  • Martina Biene to succeed Cisek as Chairperson and Managing Director of VWSA

Kariega – Robert Cisek will leave Volkswagen Group South Africa (VWSA) on 31 October 2022 to take up the position of Head of Volkswagen Small and Compact Product Line in Wolfsburg, Germany, reporting to Thomas Schaefer, CEO of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars Brand.

Martina Biene, who is currently the Head of Volkswagen Small and Compact Product Line, will succeed Cisek as the Chairperson and Managing Director of VWSA once all the necessary regulatory approvals have been attended to.

Cisek took over the reins at VWSA in November 2020 at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. He successfully led VWSA through a turbulent period of semiconductor shortages, which impacted Kariega plant production and vehicle sales. Cisek also ensured that no jobs were lost at VWSA during this period.

Biene is returning to VWSA for her second spell, following her tenure as the Head of Volkswagen Passenger Brand from October 2018 until August 2020.Biene has 20 years of experience in the Volkswagen Group, having worked in Sales, Marketing, Product Planning and Product Marketing for Luxury Vehicles and the Volkswagen Brand in Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg and South Africa.

“I would like to thank Robert for steering VWSA to a stable position during a highly challenging period for the local and global automotive industry. I am looking forward to having him back in Wolfsburg to head our small and compact product line, which will play an important part in the future of our product portfolio in emerging markets like South Africa,” said Schaefer.

“Martina is returning to the market which she knows very well after her successful time as the Head of the Volkswagen Brand Sales and Marketing. Her mandate is to sustain VWSA’s strong position in South Africa, and to continue to pursue Volkswagen’s plans to grow the Brand in the Sub-Saharan Africa markets,” added Schaefer.

“I wish both Robert and Martina success in their new roles. I am confident that their experience and commitment to Volkswagen will benefit their teams positively,” concluded Schaefer.

Ends.