Following the exit of Volkswagen's Personnel Director Gunnar Kilian, emotional messages are circulating widely
Gunnar Kilian, the former Human Resources Director at Volkswagen, has left the company in June 2025, following disagreements over the governance and management of Volkswagen's holding company structure. This clash contributed to his abrupt departure from the Group Board of Management, a role that was pivotal as the bridge between management and labor unions during Volkswagen’s major restructuring efforts.
Kilian's departure has raised concerns about the continuity of Volkswagen’s ambitious transformation plans, especially its cost-cutting targets and electric vehicle transition. During his tenure, Kilian played a significant role in securing voluntary departures of over 20,000 workers, thereby avoiding forced layoffs, a move that was crucial in maintaining labor relations and ensuring cost efficiency.
In his farewell email to the HR department, Kilian expressed his gratitude and positive assessment of Volkswagen. The email was initially sent only to employees within the HR department, and later shared on LinkedIn by Kilian himself, where he stated that Volkswagen will always be a part of him. However, the exact content of the email remains undisclosed, as public sources mainly focus on the circumstances of his exit and its impact on Volkswagen’s leadership and strategy rather than personal communication or farewell messages.
Volkswagen's Supervisory board chairman, Hans Dieter Pötsch, and CEO Oliver Blume, have expressed public words of farewell. The company has been facing challenges due to factors such as the Corona pandemic, the Russian attack on Ukraine, and the sluggish transformation towards e-mobility. In 2024, Volkswagen announced plans to cut thousands of jobs by 2030 in a socially responsible manner, causing unrest and insecurity among employees.
Kilian served as HR director during turbulent years for Volkswagen, including the "Future Volkswagen" agreement, a groundbreaking decision that helped Volkswagen return to the top economically and technologically. However, the decisions of the past year, including Kilian's role, have led works council chairwoman Daniela Cavallo to question the future direction of Volkswagen.
Despite the challenges, Kilian referred to the many challenges faced by the HR department in recent years and expressed pride in mastering them. The Wolfsburg General Newspaper reportedly has access to the email in which Kilian says goodbye, but the contents remain undisclosed. As of now, Volkswagen has not announced a replacement for Kilian.
- Gunnar Kilian's departure from Volkswagen has sparked discussions about the continuity of the company's health-and-wellness initiatives, such as workplace-wellness programs, as he played a significant role in the management of these areas during his tenure.
- Amidst the ongoing challenges facing Volkswagen, including finance management and business strategy, the departure of Gunnar Kilian, formerly the Human Resources Director, who had been instrumental in leadership decisions such as the voluntary departures of over 20,000 workers, has raised questions about the company's future direction, particularly regarding science and technology, such as the transition to electric vehicles.
- As science and technology continue to play a pivotal role in the future of the automotive industry, the departure of Gunnar Kilian, a key figure in Volkswagen's cost-cutting targets and major restructuring efforts, has left some wondering about the company's financial stability and ability to navigate the complex landscapes of both traditional and emerging markets.
