BELMONT, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 06/10/14 -- Volkswagen Group of America today announced that Ewald Goessmann has been named the new Executive Director of its Electronics Research Laboratory (ERL). Goessmann, a Volkswagen Group veteran with more than 14 years of experience with Audi AG, takes the helm as the ERL experiences tremendous growth, quickly establishing itself in recent years as the premier automotive innovation center in Silicon Valley. Goessmann replaces Dr. Peter Oel who will return to Volkswagen's Research & Development organization at the Headquarters in Wolfsburg, Germany.
"Goessmann brings decades of engineering expertise to his new role, having led teams in research and development of innovative, next-generation technologies during his time at Audi AG," said Michael Horn, president and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America. "As the ERL continues to innovate and grow, Goessmann's passion comes at the right time for the lab. We appreciate the great work of Peter Oel, who spearheaded the lab's growth with the mission of bridging Silicon Valley imagination with traditional automotive engineering."
As the Executive Director of the ERL, Goessmann will continue to build on the successful expansion of the lab since the grand opening of the new center in 2011. Now at more than 140 engineers, scientists, engineers, and futurists -- a 40 percent increase since 2011, Goessmann will lead the team in five key areas; human machine interface (HMI), infotainment software and platform research and development; advanced powertrain research; advanced driver assistance systems; and test concepts and validation. He joins the ERL as the team embarks on a number of research & development initiatives identifying innovations that will power the next-generation of in-vehicle technologies, sustainable mobility solutions, intelligent connected car applications, and advanced driver assistance systems.
Goessmann comes to the ERL from Audi AG in Germany where he served as the Head of the Systems Operation and Display team, part of the brand's Electrical Engineering group, responsible for leading in the research and development of the total operating concept for all electrical operation and display features for Audi products including MMI, climate controls, instrument clusters and controls. His team was also responsible for haptics, illumination and display technologies as well as creating the package concepts for all control and display components.
Before leading the Systems Operation and Display team, Goessmann served as the Head of the Radio Navigation Systems Applications team where he led in the development of radio navigation systems. Beyond his two recent positions, Goessmann was influential in several roles of increasing responsibility since he joined Audi AG in 2000 working on projects including the development of Audi's MMI technology.
Prior to joining Volkswagen Group in 2000, Goessmann held various positions of increasing responsibility at Siemens Automotive Systems (now Continental).
Goessmann holds a degree in general education and an advanced degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Erlangen in Germany.
About Volkswagen Group Electronics Research Laboratory (ERL)
Volkswagen Group's Electronics Research Laboratory (ERL), located in Belmont, California represents the Group's applied research and development initiatives in North America. With a focus on advanced technology, the ERL's mission is to identify and develop innovations for future generations of vehicles with the goal of transferring technologies from many industries into the automotive domain. The ERL was established in August 1998 with three employees. Today, the lab has grown to become the Volkswagen Group's largest advanced technology research and development laboratory of its kind outside of Germany, employing more than 140 engineers, social scientists, researchers, and product designers. Supporting Volkswagen Group brands such as Audi, VW, Bentley, Bugatti, Ducati, and Lamborghini, the ERL's prime Silicon Valley location has enabled the team to draw upon the regions innovative spirit while successfully bridging the gap between the Group's comprehensive engineering resources and Silicon Valley imagination.
About Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VWGoA) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, one of the world's leading automobile manufacturers and the largest carmaker in Europe. VWGoA operates a manufacturing plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee and houses the U.S. operations of a worldwide family of distinguished and exciting brands including Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini and Volkswagen, as well as VW Credit, Inc. Founded in 1955, the company's headquarters are in Herndon, Va., VWGoA brings vehicles to the U.S. that marry the science of engineering and the art of styling, with the goal of offering attractive, safe, and eco-conscious automobiles that are competitive and set world standards in their respective classes. The company has approximately 5,900 employees in the United States and sells its vehicles through a 960-strong dealer network.
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