Ferdinand Piech Austrian businessman and engineer Date of Birth: 17.04.1937 Country: Austria

Biography of Ferdinand Piëch

Ferdinand Piëch, an Austrian business magnate, engineer, and top-level executive, is best known as the former chairman of the supervisory board of Volkswagen Group. Born on April 17, 1937, in Vienna, Piëch is the grandson of Ferdinand Porsche and started his career at Porsche before moving to Audi due to an agreement that prohibited any family members from participating in the management of the company.

Piëch rose to prominence as the leader of Audi and is credited with the company's success, which allowed it to surpass competitors such as Mercedes-Benz and BMW. He owns 10% of Porsche, further establishing his influence in the automotive industry.

In 1993, Piëch became the chairman and CEO of Volkswagen Group, playing a pivotal role in transforming the company into the largest conglomerate it is today. During his tenure, he oversaw the acquisition of Lamborghini and Bentley, as well as the creation of Bugatti Automobiles. He successfully integrated these new brands into the existing structure, which included Volkswagen, Skoda, SEAT, and Audi, creating a structure similar to that of General Motors.

Although Piëch was forced to retire at the age of 65 according to Volkswagen's policy, he retained his position on the supervisory board and continues to contribute to the company's strategic decisions. As an engineer by education, Piëch had a significant impact on the development of numerous car models, including the Audi Quattro, Volkswagen New Beetle, Audi R8, Lamborghini Gallardo, Volkswagen Phaeton, and the iconic Bugatti Veyron.

In recognition of his contributions to the automotive industry, Piëch was named the Automotive Man of the Century in 1999. He is known for his aggressive behavior in the market, including the American market, and has a reputation for being a demanding leader who has dismissed many subordinates throughout his career. Piëch has twelve children from four different women and is currently married to Ursula Piëch, the former governess of his children.

Aside from his professional achievements, Piëch is a passionate car collector and suffers from dyslexia. He identifies as an atheist and owns two Bugatti Veyrons, which he and his wife drive. According to Piëch himself, he dismisses subordinates of any rank if they make the same mistake twice.