⚠ Leadership Update: Herbert Diess served as Chairman of the Board of Management (CEO) of Volkswagen AG from April 2018 to August 2022. The current CEO is Oliver Blume, who assumed the role on September 1, 2022.
Volkswagen Group, the world’s second-largest automaker by vehicle sales, was founded in 1937 and is headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. Former Volkswagen CEO Herbert Diess led the company’s transformation toward electric mobility from 2018 to 2022, overseeing a global workforce of over 670,000 employees and a portfolio of 10 automotive brands including Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, Lamborghini, Bentley, and Skoda. The Austrian-born engineer was appointed CEO in April 2018, succeeding Matthias Mueller, and became known as an ambitious reformer and relentless cost-cutter who staked the company’s future on electrification. His tenure ended abruptly in July 2022 amid clashes with labor representatives and the powerful Porsche-Piech founding family. Since his departure, Diess has served as Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Infineon Technologies AG and Executive Chairman of The Mobility House.
Read on to discover former Volkswagen CEO Herbert Diess net worth in 2026, salary and compensation history, career timeline, email & contact, wife & family, and more.
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Herbert Diess – Quick Facts
| Herbert Diess — At a Glance | |
| Full Name | Dr. Herbert Diess |
| Position (Former) | Chairman of the Board of Management (CEO) |
| Company | Volkswagen AG (ETR: VOW3) |
| Age | 67 years (born October 24, 1958) |
| Nationality | Austrian |
| Education | Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Munich |
| Net Worth (2026 est.) | ~€65 Million ($68–70 Million) |
| Final VW Compensation (2021) | ~€10 Million ($11.9 Million) |
| CEO Tenure | April 2018 – August 31, 2022 |
| Current Roles | Chairman, Supervisory Board – Infineon Technologies; Executive Chairman – The Mobility House |
| Not publicly disclosed | |
| Twitter/X | @Herbert_Diess |
| linkedin.com/in/herbertdiess | |
Volkswagen Group Competitors
Volkswagen Group operates in one of the most competitive industries in the world. As the second-largest global automaker, it faces fierce rivalry from both traditional manufacturers and emerging electric vehicle companies. The key competitors of Volkswagen Group include:
- Toyota Motor Corporation – world’s largest automaker by volume, 10.3 million vehicles in 2024
- Stellantis N.V. (Jeep, Ram, Peugeot, Fiat, Chrysler) – formed in 2021 from FCA-PSA merger
- General Motors (Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, Buick) – dominant in North America
- Hyundai Motor Group (Hyundai, Kia, Genesis) – fast-growing global player, 4.14M vehicles in 2024
- BMW Group (BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce) – key premium-segment competitor
- Mercedes-Benz Group AG – direct rival in luxury and premium segments
- Ford Motor Company – strong in trucks, SUVs, and global markets
- Tesla, Inc. – leading EV manufacturer challenging VW’s electric strategy
Herbert Diess Net Worth 2026 – Volkswagen CEO Salary
As of 2026, Herbert Diess net worth is estimated at approximately €65 million (about $68–70 million USD). This wealth was accumulated through his decades-long career in the automotive industry, including senior executive positions at BMW AG and Volkswagen AG, as well as a substantial departure arrangement from Volkswagen valued at approximately €24 million in total post-departure payments.
During his tenure as Volkswagen CEO, Diess was consistently among Germany’s highest-paid executives. His compensation peaked in 2021, when he earned approximately €10 million in total remuneration. After his departure in August 2022, his employment contract remained in effect through October 2025, during which he reportedly received €933,000 per month (approximately €24 million total) while serving in an advisory capacity.
Herbert Diess – Volkswagen CEO Compensation History
| Year | Total Compensation (€) | Approx. USD | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | €7.9M | $9.3M | First full year as CEO |
| 2019 | €8.0M | $9.0M | Full year |
| 2020 | €7.1M | $8.7M | Reduced due to COVID-19 |
| 2021 | €10.0M | $11.9M | Peak year; Germany’s highest-paid CEO |
| 2022 | €11.2M | $11.8M | Pro-rated (Jan–Aug) + multi-year variable |
| Post-Departure | ~€24M | ~$25.5M | Contract through Oct 2025 |
Key Insight: Even after his departure, Herbert Diess continued receiving approximately €933,000 per month under the terms of his employment contract, which ran through October 2025. In total, he collected roughly €24 million in post-departure payments — a figure that drew significant public scrutiny during Volkswagen’s 2024–2025 restructuring and cost-cutting measures.
Volkswagen Group Net Worth 2026 – Company Financials
Volkswagen Group remains one of the world’s largest and most profitable automakers, despite facing significant headwinds from restructuring costs, intensifying EV competition, and softening demand in key markets. In fiscal year 2024, the Group generated €324.7 billion in revenue and delivered 9.0 million vehicles worldwide.
Volkswagen Group Financial Summary (FY 2024)
| Metric | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sales Revenue | €324.7B | €322.3B | ▲ 0.7% |
| Operating Result | €19.1B | €22.5B | ▼ 15.4% |
| Operating Margin | 5.9% | 7.0% | ▼ 110 bps |
| Earnings After Tax | €12.4B | €17.9B | ▼ 30.6% |
| Market Capitalization | ~$62B | — | ▲ 20.3% YTD |
| Vehicles Delivered | 9.03M | 9.24M | ▼ 2.3% |
| Employees (incl. China JVs) | ~679,500 | — | — |
| Net Liquidity (Automotive) | €36.1B | — | — |
EV Momentum: Despite lower overall profits, Volkswagen Group saw an 88% surge in EV order intake in Western Europe during 2024. The company expects revenue to grow by up to 5% in 2025, with an operating margin target of 5.5–6.5%.
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Herbert Diess Contact – Email Address | Twitter | LinkedIn
Herbert Diess does not have a publicly disclosed email address. He is, however, notably active on social media — he was one of the first major automotive CEOs to embrace LinkedIn and Twitter as direct communication channels. Below are his contact details and Volkswagen Group’s corporate contact information:
| Contact Information | |
| Email Address | Not publicly disclosed |
| Twitter/X | @Herbert_Diess |
| Herbert Diess – linkedin.com/in/herbertdiess | |
| VW Corporate HQ | Berliner Ring 2, 38440 Wolfsburg, Germany |
| VW Investor Relations | [email protected] |
| VW Press Inquiries | [email protected] |
Career & Education – Company, University, & College
Herbert Diess built a distinguished four-decade career across three of Germany’s most important industrial companies — Robert Bosch, BMW, and Volkswagen — before transitioning to board and advisory roles in the technology and clean energy sectors.
Herbert Diess Career Timeline
| Period | Role | Company |
|---|---|---|
| 1984–1989 | Research Associate; Head of Assembly Automation Dept. | Technical University of Munich (IWB) |
| 1989–1993 | Director, Planning & Maintenance; Tech. Managing Director, Treto Plant | Robert Bosch GmbH |
| 1993–1996 | General Manager, Treto Plant (Spain) | Robert Bosch GmbH |
| 1996–1999 | Director, Long-Term & Structural Planning; Head of Process Consulting | BMW AG |
| 1999–2003 | Plant Director, Birmingham (UK) & Oxford (UK); President, BMW Motorrad | BMW AG |
| 2007–2012 | Member, Board of Management – Purchasing & Supplier Network | BMW AG |
| 2012–2014 | Member, Board of Management – Development | BMW AG |
| 2015–2018 | Chairman, VW Passenger Cars Brand; Member, Board of Management | Volkswagen AG |
| 2018–2022 | Chairman of the Board of Management (CEO) | Volkswagen AG |
| 2023–Present | Chairman, Supervisory Board | Infineon Technologies AG |
| 2024–Present | Executive Chairman of the Board | The Mobility House |
Herbert Diess began his career in academia as a research associate at the Institute for Machine Tools and Industrial Management (IWB) at the Technical University of Munich, where he headed the assembly automation department and earned his Ph.D. in 1987. In 1989, he joined Robert Bosch GmbH in Stuttgart, where he oversaw planning and maintenance at the Treto plant in Spain before becoming its General Manager in 1993.
In 1996, Diess moved to BMW AG, beginning an 18-year career at the Bavarian automaker. He rose through the ranks from structural planning to plant director roles in the UK (Birmingham and Oxford), and in 2003 was appointed President of BMW Motorrad. In 2007, he joined BMW’s Board of Management overseeing Purchasing and Supplier Network, and in 2012 he took charge of Development. Diess is widely credited with the strategic groundwork for BMW’s i3 and i8 electric vehicles.
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In 2015, Diess was recruited by Volkswagen AG in the wake of the Dieselgate emissions scandal. He initially led the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand before being elevated to Chairman of the Board of Management (CEO) in April 2018. As CEO, he championed the company’s massive €73 billion investment in electrification and digitalization, launching the ID. electric vehicle family and repositioning VW as a leading EV player. His tenure ended in August 2022 after persistent conflicts with labor leaders and the Porsche-Piech shareholder family.
Education
| University | Degree / Program | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Munich University of Applied Sciences | Diploma in Vehicle Technology (FH) | 1977–1983 |
| Technical University of Munich (TUM) | Ph.D. (Dr.-Ing.) in Mechanical Engineering – Assembly Automation | 1984–1987 |
Herbert Diess Wiki – Age, Wife, Family, & More
Former Volkswagen CEO Herbert Diess (age 67) was born on October 24, 1958, in Munich, Germany. He holds Austrian nationality. He is married to Irene Diess. The couple has three children, all of whom have reportedly pursued engineering-related careers. Diess maintains a relatively private personal life outside of his active social media presence.
Notable Achievements & Recognitions
- Electrification Pioneer – Committed Volkswagen Group to €73 billion in EV and software investment, launching the ID. series of electric vehicles
- BMW i3 & i8 Architecture – Credited with laying the strategic groundwork for BMW’s first mass-produced electric vehicles during his tenure on the board
- Germany’s Highest-Paid CEO (2021) – Earned approximately €10 million in total compensation
- Infineon Supervisory Board Chairman (2023–Present) – Oversees one of Europe’s largest semiconductor companies
- The Mobility House Executive Chairman (2024–Present) – Leading Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology development
- Social Media Pioneer – Among the first major European automotive CEOs to actively use LinkedIn and Twitter for corporate communications
After departing Volkswagen, Diess relocated to Spain, where he reportedly operates a hotel, a cattle farm, and a small distillery alongside his corporate board responsibilities. He is also a sought-after keynote speaker on topics including electric mobility, digital transformation, and climate change.
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About Volkswagen Group
Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft (Volkswagen AG) is a German multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Wolfsburg, Lower Saxony. Founded in 1937, it is the world’s second-largest automaker by vehicle sales and one of Europe’s most valuable companies. The Group manages a portfolio of 10 automotive brands spanning mass-market, premium, and luxury segments:
| Brand | Segment | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen | Volume | Flagship brand; Golf, Tiguan, ID. EV family |
| Audi | Premium | Premium sedans, SUVs, and EVs (e-tron, Q-series) |
| Porsche | Luxury / Sport | Sports cars, luxury SUVs, Taycan EV |
| Lamborghini | Super Luxury | Supercars and ultra-luxury performance vehicles |
| Bentley | Ultra Luxury | Handcrafted luxury grand tourers |
| Škoda | Volume | Value-oriented vehicles for European and emerging markets |
| SEAT / CUPRA | Volume / Sport | Spanish-designed sporty and urban vehicles |
| Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles | Commercial | Vans, buses, and light commercial vehicles |
Volkswagen Group trades on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the ticker VOW3 and on the OTC market in the US as VWAGY. In FY 2024, the Group delivered 9.03 million vehicles, generated €324.7 billion in revenue, and employed approximately 679,500 people worldwide (including Chinese joint ventures). The company is a majority-owned entity of Porsche Automobil Holding SE, with the Porsche and Piech families and the State of Lower Saxony holding significant stakes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who is Herbert Diess?
Herbert Diess is an Austrian automotive executive who served as Chairman of the Board of Management (CEO) of Volkswagen AG from April 2018 to August 2022. He is a mechanical engineer by training and previously spent 18 years at BMW AG. Since leaving Volkswagen, he serves as Chairman of the Supervisory Board at Infineon Technologies and Executive Chairman of The Mobility House.
What is Herbert Diess net worth in 2026?
As of 2026, Herbert Diess’s net worth is estimated at approximately €65 million (about $68–70 million USD). This includes his accumulated wealth from decades of senior executive compensation at BMW and Volkswagen, as well as an estimated €24 million in post-departure payments from Volkswagen under the terms of his contract which ran through October 2025.
What was Herbert Diess’s salary as Volkswagen CEO?
In his peak year of 2021, Herbert Diess earned approximately €10 million ($11.9 million) in total compensation, making him Germany’s highest-paid CEO. His compensation included a base salary, annual performance bonus, and multi-year variable components. Over his full tenure (2018–2022), he earned an estimated €44 million in total remuneration from Volkswagen.
Why was Herbert Diess removed as Volkswagen CEO?
Herbert Diess was removed as Volkswagen CEO in July 2022 following prolonged tensions with labor representatives on the Supervisory Board and disagreements with the Porsche-Piech founding family. Key friction points included his push for aggressive cost cuts, layoffs related to the electric transition, and delays in the Cariad software division. He was replaced by Oliver Blume, who had been leading Porsche AG.
What is Herbert Diess’s email address?
Herbert Diess does not have a publicly disclosed email address. He can be reached via social media: on Twitter/X at @Herbert_Diess and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/herbertdiess. For Volkswagen Group inquiries, contact [email protected] (investors) or [email protected] (press).
What is Herbert Diess doing now (2026)?
As of 2026, Herbert Diess holds two major board positions: he is Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Infineon Technologies AG (since 2023), one of Europe’s largest semiconductor companies, and Executive Chairman of The Mobility House (since January 2024), a clean energy company focused on Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology. He is also an active keynote speaker on electric mobility and climate change.
Article last updated:January 2026March 2, 2026
Disclaimer: All information presented in this article has been compiled from publicly available sources, including Volkswagen AG annual reports, corporate press releases, and reputable news outlets. Net worth figures are estimates and may vary by source. This content is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice.