Change of President and Executive Personnel at Volkswagen Group Japan K.K.

Volkswagen Group Japan K.K. (President: Matthias Schepers, Headquarters: Toyohashi, Aichi, abbreviated as VGJ) announces that Martin Saage, the current Volkswagen Japan Brand Director, will assume the position of President and CEO effective May 1, 2026.

Since taking office as Brand Director on November 1, 2025, Saage has deepened his understanding of the Japanese market and dealer network. After becoming President, he will continue to serve as Volkswagen Brand Director concurrently.

The current President, Matthias Schepers, will step down on April 30, 2026, and will be appointed as Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Audi (China) Enterprise Management Co., Ltd. on May 1, 2026. Prior to his official appointment, Schepers will relocate to Beijing, and from mid-April, VGJ's management will be executed by CFO Adam Pasternak and Martin Saage, who will become President and CEO on May 1.

Comments from the new President, Martin Saage:
"I recognize that Japan is a strategically vital base for Volkswagen, as well as a unique market with the world's most sophisticated customers and intense competition. I am honored to be entrusted with the important task of overseeing four brands with distinct personalities in such a market.

Moving forward, I will further enhance synergies between brands and group functions, deepen trust with our dealer partners, and aim for sustainable growth together.

I look forward to becoming even more beloved by the people of Japan through the value provided by Volkswagen Group Japan and to opening up a new future together."

Biography of Martin Saage:
Martin Saage is a German national and holds a degree in Business Administration from the University of Göttingen. He has held key positions within the Volkswagen Group for over 20 years, cultivating extensive leadership experience.

2004: Joined the Volkswagen AG International Trainee Program.
2005: Joined Volkswagen HQ, working in domestic sales planning and sales & marketing.
2011–2016: Head of Product Marketing for the German market.
2016–2019: Head of Sales & Marketing Product Management, Compact Car Line.
2019–2022: Senior Vice President of Marketing & User Operations at FAW-Volkswagen (China).
2022–2023: Head of VW Passenger Car Sales (Germany).
2023–2025: Head of Strategic Price Planning.

Biography and Achievements of Matthias Schepers:
He became President of Audi Japan K.K. in September 2021. In October of the same year, he concurrently became President of Volkswagen Group Japan K.K., and in January 2022, he led the merger of Audi Japan K.K. and Volkswagen Group Japan K.K.

Optimization of Organizational Structure (Integration of Volkswagen and Audi): Led the merger of Volkswagen Group Japan and Audi Japan, establishing an efficient business operation structure as a group.

Promotion of Electrification Strategy and Expansion of BEV Lineup in Japan: Led the promotion of the electrification strategy in the Japanese market and the expansion of the BEV lineup centered on the e-tron series. Furthermore, he established the "Premium Charging Alliance (PCA)," one of Japan's largest rapid charging networks in alliance with Audi and Porsche, and worked to improve convenience for BEV users, including the installation of the seventh Audi charging hub outside Europe.