According to former colleagues inside of General Motors and Opel, Thomas Sedran was a well-respected figure at the company. The former-interim CEO of Opel, and once Chevrolet Europe executive, left GM this past June to pursue new opportunities.
After a very brief stint in consulting, Sedran found himself hired on by Volkswagen Group, following the disastrous diesel emissions scandal. As expenditures begin to climb due to the scandal, Volkswagen continues to find ways to turn profits.
Sedran is said to be a major part of a newfound strategy, according to a report from Automotive News. Specifically, he will be tasked with further defining Volkswagen, Seat and Skoda in Europe, ensuring the brands do not compete with one another, and to bolster sales of the mainstay VW brand.
Sedran was a major architect of the Opel “Drive 2022” strategy plan, a plan to help Opel flourish by 2022, and return GM European operations to profitability. It’s possible the brand could turn a profit as early as next year.
After current Opel CEO, Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann, stepped in, it is said Sedran felt he had reached his potential at the automaker.
“I believe Thomas did not leave here because he was unhappy,” a GM insider said. “I think he left because he felt he could go higher, and within the GM structure, there was little room for advancement.”
If there’s any automaker that is in need of his services, Volkswagen ranks highest.
No Comments yet