Oliver Blume

Oliver Blume

File:Oliver Blume.jpg

Blume at Volkswagen, 2023

Personal details
Born	Oliver Blume 1968/1/1 (age 58) 🇩🇪 Braunschweig, West Germany
Nationality	🇩🇪 German
Citizenship	🇩🇪 Germany
Residence	🇩🇪 Stuttgart, Germany
Languages	🇩🇪 German, 🇺🇸 English
Education	Technical University of Braunschweig (Diploma, Mechanical Engineering, 1994) Tongji University (Doctorate, 2001)
Spouse	Married
Children	Information private
Parents	Information private
Career details
Occupation	Business Executive, Automotive Industry Leader
Years active	1994-present
Employer	Volkswagen AG
Title	Chairman of the Board of Management, Volkswagen AG CEO, Porsche AG (until January 2026)
Term	VW CEO: September 1, 2022 - present Porsche CEO: October 2015 - December 2025
Predecessor	Herbert Diess (VW) Matthias Müller (Porsche)
Compensation	€9.7 million (2023)
Net worth	Template:Increase US$15-25 million (estimate, December 2024)
Board member of	Volkswagen AG (Chairman of Board of Management) Porsche AG (Chairman of Board of Management, until 2026)
Awards	• CEO Today Global Awards • Automotive industry leadership awards
Website	volkswagen-group.com/en/executive-bodies-15790

Oliver Blume (born 1968) is a German business executive who serves as Chairman of the Board of Management (CEO) of Volkswagen AG, the world's second-largest automaker, and CEO of Porsche AG, positions he has held simultaneously since September 2022. His contract at Volkswagen has been extended through 2030, though he will relinquish his role as Porsche CEO effective January 1, 2026.

Born in Braunschweig, near a major Volkswagen plant, Blume has spent his entire career in the automotive industry, beginning with an international trainee program at Audi in 1994. He has led Porsche through its 2022 IPO - one of Europe's largest - and navigated Volkswagen through significant challenges including declining sales in China, the transition to electric vehicles, and €10 billion cost reduction negotiations with German unions.

Early life and education

Background

Oliver Blume was born in 1968 in Braunschweig, Germany, a city in Lower Saxony with deep connections to the automotive industry. The local Volkswagen plant and dozens of automotive suppliers surrounded his hometown, immersing him in automotive culture from childhood.

Education

Braunschweig Abitur: Blume completed his secondary education (Abitur) in Braunschweig, qualifying for university admission.

Technical University of Braunschweig (1988-1994): He enrolled at Technical University of Braunschweig in 1988, earning a Diploma (equivalent to master's degree) in Mechanical Engineering in 1994.

Tongji University Doctorate (2001): Blume received a doctorate from Tongji University in Shanghai, China in 2001, demonstrating early engagement with the Chinese market that would later become crucial to the global automotive industry.

Career

Audi (1994-2009)

International trainee program (1994): After graduating, Blume immediately entered the automotive industry through Audi AG's international trainee program.

Early roles:

• Planner for body and paint shops
• Manager of the body shop for Audi A3 (from 1997)
• Assistant to the Board of Management for Production at Audi AG (2001)
• Manager of Audi pilot plants across all sites (from 2003)

SEAT (2004-2009): In 2004, Blume moved to Barcelona as Head of Planning and the Pilot Series Centre with SEAT, Volkswagen Group's Spanish brand.

Volkswagen brand (2009-2013)

From 2009, Blume served as Head of Production Planning for the Volkswagen brand, responsible for planning manufacturing operations across VW facilities.

Porsche AG (2013-present)

Board Member for Production (2013-2015): In 2013, Blume joined Porsche AG's Executive Board as Member for Production and Logistics.

CEO of Porsche AG (October 2015-present): On October 1, 2015, Blume became CEO of Porsche AG, succeeding Matthias Müller.

Achievements at Porsche:

• Led Porsche's 2022 IPO - €75 billion valuation, one of Europe's largest offerings
• Expanded electric vehicle lineup (Taycan)
• Maintained industry-leading profit margins
• Strengthened Porsche's brand positioning

Volkswagen Group CEO (September 2022-present)

On September 1, 2022, Blume assumed the role of Chairman of the Board of Management (CEO) of Volkswagen AG, while retaining his position as Porsche CEO - an unusual dual-leadership structure.

Key challenges:

• China decline: Volkswagen Group sales in China, the world's largest auto market, have declined significantly amid intense competition from Chinese EV makers like BYD
• Porsche China sales: Down 39% over two years, falling below 56,900 cars in 2024
• Cost pressures: Implemented €10 billion cost-reduction program
• Labor negotiations: December 2024 agreement with IG Metall preserved all 10 German factories and job security through 2030

Contract extension: In October 2025, Volkswagen's supervisory board extended Blume's contract through 2030. However, he will step down as Porsche CEO effective January 1, 2026, focusing solely on Volkswagen Group leadership.

Dual CEO role controversy

Blume's simultaneous leadership of both Volkswagen Group and Porsche AG has drawn criticism, particularly as both companies face significant challenges. Critics argue the dual role stretches his attention too thin, while supporters note his deep understanding of both organizations.

Personal life

Blume is married. He maintains privacy regarding his family and personal life. He resides in the Stuttgart area, near Porsche's headquarters.

See also

• Volkswagen Group
• Porsche
• German automotive industry

External links

• Official Volkswagen Biography
• Bloomberg Profile