- VW taps former Rivian and Porsche exec to strengthen its North American presence.
- Kjell Gruner joins VW Group of America as it invests $5.8 billion into new EV platforms.
- This latest leadership shift aligns with its long-term plan for EV advancements in 2027.
Just days after Volkswagen and Rivian announced the finalization of their joint venture to co-develop a next-generation electrical architecture and software, another major shift has surfaced. Kjell Gruner, one of Rivian’s former top executives, is set to become the new chief executive of Volkswagen Group of America.
That executive is Kjell Gruner, who joins Volkswagen after serving as chief commercial officer and president of Business Growth at Rivian. Gruner took on the role at Rivian in September 2023 but resigned in July 2024, after just 10 months. He is set to become the new head of Volkswagen Group of America on December 12, succeeding Pablo Di Si, who is stepping down.
Read: VW And Rivian Team Up To Develop EV Tech for 2027 Launch
Until Gruner officially takes charge, Gerrit Spengler, the current chief human resources officer for Volkswagen Group of America, will act as interim CEO.
A Familiar Name in the Industry
VW will no doubt hope that Gruner’s expertise in the US market will help it broaden its reach across the region. Through the first months of this year, VW sold 769,000 vehicles in North America, a 7% increase from the previous year.
Gruner brings extensive experience in both the US and German automotive markets. While his tenure at Rivian was brief, it’s hardly his first time in a high-profile role. His career began as a consultant before moving to Porsche in the early 2000s. In 2004, he joined DaimlerChrysler, where he led strategy for Mercedes-Benz Cars. By 2010, Gruner returned to Porsche, this time as the global chief marketing officer. In 2020, he ascended to president and CEO of Porsche Cars North America, a role he held until his transition to Rivian in 2023.
“Kjell Gruner is an absolute expert for the US market. He has over 25 years of experience in the automotive industry and extensive know-how in exploiting and expediting growth opportunities in North America,” VW AG group board member for human resources Gunnar Killian said. “Volkswagen AG is indebted to his predecessor, Pablo Di Si. His outstanding commitment was of central importance in realigning our business in South America. He subsequently laid the foundation for the positive development of our North American strategy.”
A $5.8 Billion Bet on Rivian Tech
Gruner’s appointment comes as VW doubles down on its collaboration with Rivian. The automaker has committed a significant $5.8 billion investment into co-developing a new electrical architecture based on Rivian’s systems. The partnership’s first fruits will debut in 2027 with a VW-branded vehicle. Afterward, the software stack will roll out across models from Audi, Porsche, Scout, and others under the Volkswagen Group umbrella.
