Porsche is bringing in an outsider to run its Weissach development centre. Jörg Bartels, 52, will take over as board member for research and development in May 2027. Michael Steiner, 62, will leave after almost 25 years at the company.
Who is Bartels
- Currently in charge of global development of all powertrain systems at Mercedes-Benz.
- Previously President and CEO of Beijing Benz Automotive, Mercedes' Chinese joint venture.
- More than 26 years in the auto industry, according to Porsche.
Steiner's record
Steiner has been on the board since 2016 and deputy chairman since 2025. Automotive World notes that he oversaw the 991 and 992 generations of the 911, the 800-volt Taycan and the T-Hybrid powertrain, and ran Volkswagen Group R&D from 2022 to 2025.
The job ahead
Bartels inherits Porsche's "Sportwagenschmiede '35" strategy. electrive, citing Manager Magazin, reports that it aims to cut development costs by 20% and development times by 40%. Porsche is moving to a mix of combustion, plug-in hybrid and electric powertrains. electrive notes analysts expect only about 25,000 Porsche sales in China in 2026, against more than 90,000 a year at the peak. CEO Michael Leiters said Bartels would push on with the R&D realignment already under way.