Kim Hyun-bin began his journalism career at Arirang TV from 2012 to 2017, specializing in defense, foreign affairs and the economy. In 2018, he joined The Korea Times, covering society and business, and is currently responsible for embassy affairs.
INTERVIEW 'Volkswagen Group Korea to create synergy, efficiency among affiliated brands'
By Kim Hyun-bin
Bologna, Italy―Till Scheer, group managing director of Volkswagen Group Korea (VWGK), says the key reason for establishing VWGK is to enhance synergy and efficiency among its brands launched in Korea. The company changed its name from Audi Volkswagen Korea to Volkswagen Group Korea on March 31, after 18 years in the Korean market.
Till Scheer, group managing director at Volkswagen Group Korea
By Kim Hyun-bin
Scheer emphasized that VWGK's role is not to interfere with the brands' operations, but to establish a solid business structure together.
“There are lots of activities each and every brand does related to cars and we do not have to separately proceed (for example logistics) for each brand in the country. There is the possibility to create synergies,” Scheer said talking to a few journalists, including The Korea Times, in Bologna, Italy on May 21.
“How we run, each and every branch is on its own. They have their own decisions own branding they do everything related to the brand on their own, but as a group, we are trying to find all the synergies and efficiencies we can put together in the structure.”
Volkswagen Group has 10 automobile brands in seven countries, including Volkswagen, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, SKODA, CUPRA, and SEAT as well as premium brands such as Audi, Lamborghini, Bentley, Ducati, and Porsche.
However, Scheer says the first and foremost task is to regain its status and stability back to before the so-called “diesel gate” incident or diesel vehicle emissions fraud scandal in 2016,?which devastated Volkswagen Group's global reputation and sales.
“The hit that we took in 2016 was very strong. Not only in Korea but globally ... It's about trust in the brand and it takes time (to recover) and it also takes having the right product in the market. I believe there is a good chance we will get back in good numbers in the market depending on the offerings we bring,” he said.
The group managing director says the Korean market is highly competitive, especially among luxury brands, but emphasized that there are more opportunities to be had in the market.
“I think that the (Korean) market is very competitive and very well developed and offers much in all kinds of segments. The upper segments are very strong and nearly all brands are in the market so it is highly competitive,” Scheer said.