6:16 p.m. | Updated
The Volkswagen Group has appointed Wolfgang Dürheimer as head of its two ultra-luxe divisions, Bentley and Bugatti. He will replace Franz-Josef Paefgen as chairman and chief executive of Bentley, and president and chief executive of Bugatti. Mr. Paefgen will serve as a consultant to the Volkswagen Group, which owns Bentley and Bugatti.
Under Mr. Paefgen, Bentley expanded its facilities in Crewe, England, and increased its work force. The automaker released several new models, and sales rose from 6,576 units in 2004 to more than 10,000 in 2007. In 2003, Bentley won the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the first time since 1930.
At Bugatti, Mr. Paefgen was responsible for the development of the Veyron 16.4 supercar.
In a news release, Bentley said that Mr. Paefgen will reach “the normal retirement age of 65 in May.” Mr. Dürheimer, 52, will assume his new position on Feb. 1.
Mr. Dürheimer comes from Porsche, where he was the vice president of research and development. Before that, he managed the 911 product line.
“Wolfgang Dürheimer personifies the outstanding technical competency of Porsche,” said Martin Winterkorn, chief executive of Volkswagen, said in a statement. “He will bring this expertise and his experience to Bentley and Bugatti, helping them maintain their leading positions within the luxury segment.”
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