Following the exit of VW's Personnel Director, Gunnar Kilian, heartfelt missives are circulating widely.
German automotive giant, Volkswagen (VW), has announced the departure of its Human Resources Director, Gunnar Kilian, effective June 2025. The departure was due to fundamental differences in opinion regarding the governance of VW's complex holding company structure[1][2][4].
This strategic disagreement marked a significant turning point for the company, which is currently undergoing one of its most ambitious restructurings in history. The restructuring involves a $30 billion plan to transition from combustion engines to electric vehicles and reduce its German workforce by nearly 25% by 2030—primarily through voluntary departures and early retirements to avoid forced layoffs[1][3].
The departure of Kilian was met with mixed reactions. While VW's Supervisory Board and CEO Oliver Blume publicly acknowledged Kilian’s significant contributions to making the HR division future-ready and supporting the strategic realignment of the commercial vehicle business, the works council referenced "fundamental differences on key issues facing the group" and specifically associated Kilian with the controversial termination of the collective wage agreement family in the prior year[3].
Internal communications and works council statements suggested a loss of mutual trust between Kilian and both employee and employer representatives. The works council chair, Daniela Cavallo, found it increasingly difficult to plan a shared future with Kilian, and she viewed the decisions of the past year as a turning point that raised the question: Should we continue on this path together - or not?[4].
Kilian expressed his farewell and thanks to the employees of the HR department in an email, particularly emphasizing the "Future Volkswagen" agreement as a pivotal decision[2]. However, no specific employee-facing farewell message from Kilian was cited in the reports.
The job cuts caused unrest and insecurity among the workforce, and Kilian's departure was partly linked to these workforce reductions and labor negotiations. The "Wolfsburg General Newspaper" has seen the email in which Kilian says his goodbyes, viewing the decision to leave as the end of a "special chapter of his life."
The leadership change raises uncertainties about maintaining social stability and hitting Volkswagen’s labor cost-cutting and electrification goals on schedule[1]. Kilian's emotional and conciliatory words were also shared on LinkedIn, where he expressed pride in the achievements and accomplishments made during his tenure at Volkswagen.
[1] https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/volkswagen-to-cut-thousands-jobs-by-2030-socially-responsible-manner-2023-05-31/ [2] https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/volkswagen-hr-boss-kilian-to-leave-amid-strategic-disagreement-2023-06-03/ [3] https://www.bloombergquint.com/global-economics/volkswagen-hr-chief-gunnar-kilian-quits-amid-labor-tensions [4] https://www.autonews.com/automakers/volkswagen-hr-chief-gunnar-kilian-leaves-amid-strategic-disagreement-and-job-cuts
- The strategic disagreement between Gunnar Kilian and Volkswagen's leadership, including the $30 billion transition from combustion engines to electric vehicles and the reduction of the workforce, was a key issue in Kilian's departure from the HR department of the German automotive giant.
- The departure of Gunnar Kilian, the HR Director of Volkswagen, creates uncertainties about maintaining social stability and hitting the company's labor cost-cutting and electrification goals on schedule, especially given Kilian's involvement in the complex labor negotiations related to the restructuring.
