Oliver Blume, CEO of the Volkswagen Group: “I would like to warmly thank Michael Mauer for his outstanding work and for the close and collaborative working relationship over the years. He shaped an era at Porsche. As Head of Group Design he also established a design philosophy across all brands that provides orientation and ensures recognition – with clearly defined brand and product identities. His work has shaped the style of our brands and will remain visible in the future.”
Sharpening the design strategy with unmistakable products has been one of the Group’s top priorities for over three years. “Michael Mauer achieved precisely what we set out to do in a short time,” said Blume. “The individual brands developed their DNA and pinpointed their positioning. Their iconic models authentically and emotionally reflect their origin – and deliver what our customers around the world expect from us.”
Now it is time to hand over to the next generation. “I am looking forward to working more closely with Andy Mindt,” said Blume. “With his track record at the Volkswagen brand and his expertise, he has made a significant impact in a short time and played a key role in ensuring that our cars are clearly recognizable as genuine Volkswagen models again.”
Andreas Mindt began his career in the Volkswagen Group in 1996 after graduating with a degree from the Pforzheim University School of Design. By 2014 he had already held several positions at the Volkswagen brand, working on the design of the first generation of the Tiguan and on the exterior design of the Golf 7, among other things. From 2014 until 2021, he spearheaded the realignment of Audi’s exterior design from the Audi A1 through to the Audi e-tron GT and from the Audi Q3 through to the Audi Q8. From 2021, as Director of Bentley Design, he was tasked with defining Bentley’s new design language, unveiled last summer with the Bentley Batur. He has held the post of Head of Design at the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand since February 2023.
Michael Mauer took over in 2004 as the fourth Head of Design in Porsche’s long history, preceded by Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, Anatol Lapine and Harm Lagaay. Mauer studied automotive design at the Pforzheim University of Applied Sciences and joined Porsche following stints at Mercedes, Smart and Saab. At the beginning of his tenure at Porsche AG, he was responsible for the revision of the Cayenne, the new Panamera and the 918 Spyder super sports car. Michael Mauer also transferred the unmistakable Porsche design into the electric age. Since January 2023, he has acted as Head of Group Design for the Volkswagen Group while retaining his position at Porsche.
The importance of design for the Volkswagen Group
Design has a decisive role for the Volkswagen Group. The task of Group Design is to clearly differentiate the individual brands and make their specific DNA visible. Each brand must be instantly recognizable and authentically communicate its origin. Group Design also ensures that all products meet the needs of individual regions and markets and live up to the different expectations of customers worldwide.
