Former Rivian executive joins Volkswagen to head U.S. operations
Former Rivian executive Kjell Gruner has joined Volkswagen to head the German automaker’s operations in the United States. Gruner’s post in Volkswagen was previously held by Pablo Di Si, who held the position since 2022.
Before becoming the President & CEO of the Volkswagen Group of America, Gruner served as Rivian's chief commercial officer and head of business growth. At Volkswagen, the former Rivian executive is expected to play a notable role in the German automaker’s ongoing negotiations with the United Auto Workers (UAW) in the United States.
Gruner is a veteran of the auto industry. Prior to his post at Rivian, he spent 12 years at Porsche AG and DaimlerChrysler AG, where he led a global business in North America, as noted in a WION News report. His experience at Rivian is also expected to be valuable for Volkswagen considering the UAW’s reservations about electric vehicles.
GOP nominee Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S. presidential elections has ushered in some uncertainty in the electric vehicle sector. Uncertainties lie in the United States’ regulatory landscape, and there is a good chance that the $7,500 federal tax credit for electric cars will be scrapped. Industry veterans such as Gruner can then play a role in helping Volkswagen navigate the United States auto sector in the coming years.
Volkswagen and Rivian recently announced the creation of Rivian and VW Group Technology, LLC, a joint venture between the electric truck maker and the German automaker. The joint venture will be based in Palo Alto, CA to start, though three other sites are in development in North America and Europe. Rivian and VW Group Technology, LLC will be led by Wassym Bensaid from Rivian and Carsten Helbing from the Volkswagen Group.
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