Porsche executive to lead Bentley Motors

BENTLEY Motors will have a new man in the driving seat from next February.

Parent company Volkswagen AG has appointed Wolfgang Dürheimer as chairman and chief executive of the Crewe-based company. He will succeed Dr Franz-Josef Paefgen who will retire after more than eight years in the role.

Bavarian Mr Dürheimer, 52, joins Bentley from Porsche – which is also part of VW –  AG where he was executive vice-president, research and development.

He  began his career in the motor industry with BMW in 1986,. He moved to Porsche in 1999, taking management responsibility for the 911 product line.

Professor Dr Martin Winterkorn, chairman of Volkswagen’s board of management said:“Wolfgang Dürheimer personifies the outstanding technical competency of Porsche. He will bring this expertise and his experience to Bentley and Bugatti, helping them maintain their leading positions within the luxury segment.”

Mr Dürheimer said: “I am flattered by the trust put in me by the Volkswagen Group. To take charge of a company such as Bentley is a significant responsibility. The company has such an illustrious history and the developments made over the past few years have been outstanding.

“I know I have a lot to learn about the brand and the people but hope my experience with Porsche will serve me well in a new role and a new country.” 

Dr Paefgen, who is 65 in May, has been asked to remain involved in the Volkswagen Group and Bentley in particular in an advisory capacity.

He said:“It has been a privilege to have been a small part of the story of Bentley. During my time here we have had some tremendous successes and inevitably faced some real challenges.

“However, it is the skill, the commitment and the passion of everyone at Crewe that I will treasure the most. In Wolfgang Dürheimer I am convinced we have an individual with a feel for the both the brand and what makes Bentleys special. The company is in very capable hands.”