Volkswagen is currently embroiled in a firestorm of lawsuits, fines and consumer backlash surrounding its admitted diesel emissions-cheating otherwise known as Dieselgate. Needless to say, it’s not the ideal time to take a job working for the embattled company.
Yet the former director for Mac engineering at Apple, Johann Jungwirth, has joined the Volkswagen Group to head up “digital transformation” across all brands, according to Jungwirth’s LinkedIn profile and a Volkswagen release.
Previously, Jungwirth, 42, held was president and CEO at Mercedes-Benz Research and Development for North America. There,
Jungwirth spearheaded R&D in autonomous driving, connected cars and electric powertrains
Jungwirth spearheaded R&D in autonomous driving, connected cars and electric powertrains for the German luxury carmaker.
As for his tenure at Apple, which lasted just over a year, Jungwirth lists “building great Mac products” on his LinkedIn. This is wildly unspecific compared to the descriptions of the other half-dozen positions he has held throughout his career.
This could certainly mean he wasn’t allowed to talk about the parameters of his job at Apple; after all, the tech giant is notoriously tight-lipped, even about Mac products. However, it could also indicate that Jungwirth was one of the 300-plus automotive experts working on the unverified “Project Titan” that is believed to be developing an Apple car.
Regardless, Jungwirth is out of Apple. I suppose this speaks volumes — not about Apple, but rather about the state of VW. If a seasoned industry veteran like Jungwirth sees VW as a reliable employer, it could hint at the brand’s ability to weather the diesel scandal storm.
Or, at the very least, it means Jungwirth is keen to take a job that takes him back home to Germany.
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