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

Volkswagen Group Japan K.K. (Representative Director and President: Matthias Schepers, Head Office: Toyohashi City, Aichi Prefecture, Abbreviation: VGJ) announces that Martin Saage, the current Volkswagen Japan Brand Director, will assume the role of Representative Director and President on May 1, 2026.

Mr. Saage, the new president, has deepened his understanding of the Japanese market characteristics and dealer network since his appointment as Brand Director on November 1, 2025. He will continue to serve as Volkswagen Brand Director concurrently after assuming the position of Representative Director and President.

The current Representative Director and President, Matthias Schepers, will retire on April 30, 2026, and will be appointed Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Audi (China) Enterprise Management Co., Ltd. on May 1, 2026. Prior to his official appointment, Mr. Schepers will relocate to Beijing. Therefore, from mid-April onwards, VGJ's management will be executed under a two-person system comprising CFO Adam Pastanak and Martin Saage, who will newly assume the role of Representative Director and President and CEO on May 1.

Comment from the New Representative Director and President, Martin Saage

"Japan is an extremely important strategic base for Volkswagen, and at the same time, it is a unique market with the most sophisticated customers in the world and intense competition. I am deeply honored to be entrusted with the important task of overseeing four distinct brands in such a market.

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

I sincerely look forward to making Volkswagen Group Japan an even more beloved presence among the people of Japan through the value we provide, and to together forge a new future."

Biography of the New Representative Director and President, Martin Saage

Martin Saage is a German national and holds a degree in Business Administration from Georg-August University. He has held key positions within the Volkswagen Group for over 20 years, accumulating extensive leadership experience.

2004: Participated in the Volkswagen AG International Trainee Program

2005: Joined Volkswagen Headquarters. Engaged in sales planning and sales & marketing departments in Germany.

2011–2016: Head of Product Marketing for the German market

2016–2019: Head of Sales & Marketing Product Management, Carline Compact Division

2019–2022: Senior Vice President, Marketing & User Operations at FAW-Volkswagen (China)

2022–20