Volkswagen to leave – BBC

early exit

Milan , November 7, 2015 – 11:39

     
     
 

The head of the Centro Stile of the Volkswagen Group, Walter de Silva, leave the ‘ company and all its assignments in late November, before the age of 65 years (in February), the age when it’s normal, for mere mortals, to retire. Maybe it was not even for him, this early exit is certainly one of the many consequences of the revolution that the German group is facing. De Silva is limited to comment: “It is not easy to talk now! Forty years of work overlap in my thoughts. ”

The beginnings al’Alfa Romeo

The memories crowd in those who witnessed important moments of his professional life: the arrival in Arese immediately after the acquisition of Alfa Romeo by Fiat, to design the Centro Stile. Even after the end of production activities, the center continued to be operational, with de Silva at the top, where it was privileged talent and rigor. It was launched in October 1997 in Lisbon the Alfa 156, its latest Italian car: the presentation made to the international press showed through his detachment from the Turin-based group; The car won the Car of the Year award and de Silva said, “My last gift.”

The transition to the Germans

He was called by Ferdinand Piech, chairman of Volkswagen, to take care of the Seat brand and, little by little, became manager the style of all 12 brands of Wolfsburg. Excellence of our country, in Germany, he has always stressed, saying: “Drawing the most beautiful Italian cars produced in German factories.” The elimination of roles, skills, means reducing costs, at this time the real priority of Volkswagen. De Silva was among the group of executives as tied to Martin Winterkorn, the CEO who paid in person, immediately, to the scandal dieselgate; now it is unclear whether his successor will be appointed or whether the position will be deleted. Along with his other countrymen thronging the corridors of Wolfsburg and Ingolstadt, the headquarters of Audi, including Luca De Meo, the first foreigner to join the board of Audi, now he moved to the head of the Spanish brand Seat. In another important position also came Claudio Domenicali, CEO of Ducati now.

7 November 2015 (Amendment 7 November 2015 | 11:39)

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