Biography
Winterkorn studied metallurgy and metal physics at the University of Stuttgart from 1966 to 1973. From 1973 to 1977 he was a Ph.D student at the Max-Planck-Institute for Metal Research and Metal Physics, where he received his doctorate in 1977.
Winterkorn embarked on his career in 1977, as a specialist assistant in the research division "Process Engineering" at Robert Bosch GmbH. From 1978 to 1981, he headed the refrigerant compressor development group "Substances and Processes" at Robert Bosch GmbH and Bosch-Siemens-Hausgeräte GmbH.
In 1993 Winterkorn became head of "Group Quality Assurance" at Volkswagen AG, and was appointed General Manager of Volkswagen AG with power of attorney in March 1994. He was additionally responsible for VW Group Product Management from June 1995. In January 1996, Winterkorn took over from Herbert Schuster as Member of the Brand Board of Management for "Technical Development" for the Volkswagen brand. From July 2000, he was Member of the VW Group Board of Management for Technical Development. Winterkorn was instrumental in getting Volkswagen CEO Ferdinand Piëch to approve the production of the New Beetle.
Dr. Winterkorn had been Chairman of the Board of Management of Audi AG since 1 March 2002. He headed the Audi brand group, including the brands SEAT and Lamborghini, which was formed on 1 January 2002. Winterkorn also assumed responsibility for Technical Development at AUDI AG with effect from 1 January 2003. In his capacity as CEO of the Board of Management of Audi AG, Dr. Winterkorn was also Member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG.
He succeeded Bernd Pischetsrieder as CEO of Volkswagen AG on 1 January 2007.
Since June 2003, Dr. Winterkorn served as an Honorary Professor of the Budapest University of Technology and Economics, in recognition of his service to the promotion of research at the establishment. He's been featured both in the 2007 and the 2008 Power List of American automotive magazine Motor Trend.
In December 2012, Winterkorn was named one of "The Men of the Year" by Top Gear (magazine) for keeping Volkswagen moving foward against the tide.
Read more about this topic: Martin Winterkorn
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