Wolfgang Bernhard was forced out of Volkswagen yesterday!

For those who don't know him from Adam, he was one of the stars that helped Dieter Zetsche turn around Chrysler, and was moved over to take over Mercedes Benz till he was shafted by Jürgen Schrempp, and quit.

He's great at restructuring, has the "Star Power" of Lutz, the "Coolness Factor" of J. Mays (Dodge Tomahawk unveiling ring a bell?), and at just 46, is young enough to be around awhile.

Dieter Zetsche now runs the entire DaimlerChrysler empire, and if Tom LaSorda doesn't pull Chrysler together soon, I'd say Bernhard is all but a shoo-in to replace him.

Since the Mark Fields rumor made the list, I figured something even bigger would have been posted by now.

http://www.detroitnews.com/apps/pbcs...TO01/701120376

 

Guy,

I did take notice of this. I agree with you he is pretty much certain to go back to DC.

 

DC is denying it pretty hard. I thought it would be a done deal, but I dunno. There's a big DCX board meeting in February where the plan for Chrysler will be considered. One way or another, we'll know after that meeting.

 

Who is responsible for the Super Stock Challenger? That is a person I want to remember.

 

I can only pray that Bernhard returns to Chrysler. Maybe they will finally put some decent interiors in them then.

 

Don't think he'd be involved in something like interiors, outside of perhaps getting better quality materials (nowadays, even Toyota is using interiors to recoupe costs, so that's a pretty big wish).

I feel his claim to fame is in making the trains run on time and on budget, and knowing the importance of being audacious once in awhile.

What do I mean by him being audacious?

The Dodge Tomahawk and the Chrysler ME412 have his fingerprints all over them.

 

Would he ever have a spot in GM?

 

He would make a pretty good successor-in-waiting for Lutz...

 

I seem to recall hearing rumors that GM courted Bernhard, before he took the VW job. This doesn't seem to be out of the question, although one industry pundit opined that Bernhard is finished in the auto industry after jumping around so much in the last couple of years. I don't feel the same way - the guy's got talent, and it's not like there's enough to go around right now.

 

[QUOTE=Eric Bryant;4342728] after jumping around so much in the last couple of years. I don't feel the same way - the guy's got talent, and it's not like there's enough to go around right nowQUOTE]

Jumped around or got pushed around? Seems to me he leaves when he's no longer welcome.

 

Chrysler's latest interiors are looking more and more like they took notes from GM in from the 90s. I think their newer vehicals are in serious need of better materials.

 

Chrysler interiors LOOK very nice as of late...the Sebring, Caliber, Compass and Wrangler all LOOK good. But they FEEL like crap...especially the Sebring. Hard plastic everywhere...

 

Agreed. If you just look at their interiors they look nice. When touched, the dash feels like sandpaper.