Volkswagen Group Africa (VWGA) has announced that Chairperson and Managing Director Martina Biene will leave the company at the end of September to join Škoda Auto as its new Board Member for Sales and Marketing from 1 October 2026.
Biene, who became the first woman to lead Volkswagen Group Africa when she was appointed in November 2022, will be succeeded by Christiane Zorn, currently Vice President Region Overseas at Porsche AG. Zorn’s appointment is subject to the completion of the necessary regulatory and statutory processes.
The leadership change marks the end of a successful tenure for Biene, during which VWGA achieved several important milestones in manufacturing, investment and market development.
Under her leadership, Volkswagen’s production plant in Kariega recorded its highest-ever output, producing 167,084 vehicles in 2024. The company also announced a R4 billion investment to add a third model, the Volkswagen Tengo, to its local production portfolio.
The Tengo, unveiled this week during celebrations marking 75 years of Volkswagen in South Africa, is expected to play a key role in the company’s future manufacturing strategy and growing SUV offensive both locally and across Africa.
Biene’s influence extended beyond Volkswagen. Between October 2023 and July 2026, she also served as President of the Association of African Automotive Manufacturers (AAAM), helping to promote the growth and development of the automotive sector across the continent.
Reflecting on her time at VWGA, Biene said it had been an honour to work alongside a resilient team during a period marked by both challenges and achievements.
“Despite the challenges facing both the automotive industry and our company, we have achieved many milestones worth celebrating,” she said.
Biene highlighted the early launch of the Tengo as one of the achievements she is most proud of, citing its importance for future production volumes at the Kariega plant and Volkswagen’s SUV growth plans in African markets.
Taking over from her is Zorn, an experienced automotive executive with more than two decades of industry experience. She currently serves as Vice President Region Overseas at Porsche AG and has previously held senior leadership roles at BMW and Audi.
After joining BMW in 2013, Zorn worked in several positions in Munich and Beijing before moving to Audi in 2020, where she held key roles including Head of Sales for China, Head of Product Marketing and Head of Product Strategy.
“I am excited to join Volkswagen Group Africa and play my part in driving the future of Volkswagen in Africa with the team,” said Zorn.
The transition comes at a significant time for VWGA as the company continues to expand its manufacturing footprint and strengthen its position in African markets.
With major investments underway and the newly unveiled Tengo preparing to enter production, the leadership change signals continuity in Volkswagen’s long-term ambitions on the continent. For Biene, meanwhile, the move to Škoda Auto represents a significant career step within the wider Volkswagen Group, where she will take responsibility for one of the brand’s most important global functions: sales and marketing.