Earlier this week, Audi confirmed that it plans to hire the BMW procurement director Markus Duesmann to occupy the vacant post at the head of the VW subsidiary. German automakers have an industry-standard blocking clause, which could have prevented him from immediately working for a direct competitor, and apparently, that clause will be activated by BMW.
Continue Reading Below
As the FAZ reports , Duesmann was released immediately by BMW after the announcement of his intentions and is therefore is no longer part of the Board of BMW AG.
In order to curb the transfer of secrets, Duesmann may not join Audi without the release of his previous employer which is a direct competitor. According to FAZ, BMW could delay the start at VW or Audi until October 2020 – however, it is unclear whether BMW will insist on such a long lock or whether the companies may be able to agree financially on an earlier start.
However, BMW does not have a lot of reason to be very accommodating considering that the current VW CEO Herbert Diess moved to Wolfsburg from BMW just a few years ago. This would also give a warning to other directors: A quick and easy change to direct competition is not an option.
It’s shocking to see so many high level people leaving BMW.
So many?! Who else? And btw. that’s normal.
It’s not that shocking, his remuneration as head of Audi will likely double what he’s paid at BMW… it’s not about leaving BMW it’s about not turning down a once in a lifetime opportunity.
What’s going on at BMW?
This has been going on @ BMW since the last century. Following the British Leyland/England Patient debacle their two top executives left for Ford & VAG. In many industries upward mobility (@ huge $$$$) is only possible by going to the competition or by starting your own company. The latter is not feasible in the auto industry, unless it’s a Chinese BEV start-up (or you’re Chris Bangle). Both VAG & Hyundai have made recent high-profile hires from Munich. What’s confusing to me is going to VAG, who have had their own high-profile management turmoil for a decade now, resulting in people leaving or going to prison. Some BMW executives are 2nd. generation, they get moved around internally & eventually sit on the company’s supervisory board.
Boggles the mind…
So cool that the company doing record volume/profits is supported/boggles the mind.
Of both of you.
For one, if I were to work at a company like BMW, it would be because I love the brand, know the brand, live the brand. If you’re willing to give that up for another brand… boggling.
BMW is a corporation chasing profit, who isn’t… there is no more such a thing as brand loyalty or brand passion… boggling.
Just so many ‘boggles’ in this day and age.
This is going on basically everywhere. Just a normal process on higher levels. Think BMW isn’t so bad at it, their board is pretty stable all in all.
And also VWs Diess isn’t really missed at BMW :D
I think VW needs external input very much, so that’s why they do it this way. And who’s better than BMW? No one! Especially in terms of (Diesel) engines!
Not just at higher levels. Even in industries with high worker demand your best bet at getting a raise is going to a different employer or get an offer from a different employer and use that to get a raise. Employers (at least American corporate ones) are loathe to give a raise for any reason other than to keep you from leaving.