Volkswagen Names New Vice President of Product Innovations

Mar 15, 2016

Volkswagen Group of America’s North American Engineering and Planning Center (EPC) has announced that Dr. Burkhard Huhnke will be taking over as the new Vice President of Product Innovations effective immediately. He will maintain his position as a representative of Volkswagen Group of America (VWGoA) at the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI) while also serving as a go-between with several universities and responsible for making connections with national research and development organizations.

Huhnke brings years of experience with him as he previously held positions such as project leader for Autonomous Car Project through Volkswagen Passat Junior, and project leader for Autonomous Car Project through Volkswagen Passat Junior where he ran Volkswagen Automotive Innovation Center (VAIL) at Stanford University alongside Professors Sebastian Thrun, Cliff Nass, and Chris Gerdes. His most recent position was Head of Product Engineering at the Volkswagen Chattanooga plant.

“Dr. Burkhard Huhnke’s 18 years of experience in research and development have prepared him for his expanded role here at the North American Engineering and Planning Center”, says Dr. Matthias Erb, EVP of Engineering and Planning. “Dr. Huhnke’s expertise will help direct our innovation efforts in the North American Region, for example in terms of lightweight materials and connectivity.”

“DR. BURKHARD HUHNKE NAMED VP FOR PRODUCT INNOVATIONS : Volkswagen Media Centre.” Volkswagen Media Centre. N.p., 11 Mar. 2016. Web. 11 Mar. 2016. <http://media.vw.com/release/1160/>.