Andreas Mindt to lead Volkswagen Group Design from March

Volkswagen Group has appointed Andreas Mindt as Head of Group Design with effect from 1 March 2026, adding the group-level role to his existing position as Head of Design at the Volkswagen passenger cars brand. Mindt succeeds Michael Mauer, who is leaving the company as part of a generational transition.

Mindt joined the Volkswagen Group in 1996 following graduation from Pforzheim University School of Design. His early work at Volkswagen included the first-generation Tiguan and the exterior design of the Golf 7. From 2014 to 2021 he led the realignment of Audi’s exterior design across models including the A1, e-tron GT, Q3, and Q8. He then served as Director of Bentley Design from 2021, where he defined a new design language for the brand, before taking up his current role at Volkswagen in February 2023.

Oliver Blume, Chief Executive of the Volkswagen Group, said: “I would like to warmly thank Michael Mauer for his outstanding work and for the close and collaborative working relationship over the years. He shaped an era at Porsche. As Head of Group Design he also established a design philosophy across all brands that provides orientation and ensures recognition — with clearly defined brand and product identities.”

Mauer joined Porsche in 2004 following positions at Mercedes, Smart, and Saab, and has held the Group Design role since January 2023. He had previously transferred his Porsche design responsibilities to his successor ahead of his departure.

Source: Volkswagen Group