The Volkswagen Group has confirmed that Andreas Mindt will assume responsibility for Group Design effective March 1, 2026. Mindt, currently Head of Design for the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand, succeeds Michael Mauer, who is leaving the company on amicable terms as part of a generational transition.
Group CEO Oliver Blume credited Mauer with shaping a distinct and cohesive design philosophy across the Group’s portfolio. Blume noted that Mauer’s tenure established clearly defined brand and product identities, ensuring recognition and consistency across the Group’s marques. Mauer, previously Head of Design at Porsche AG, had also overseen Group Design since January 2023 while retaining his Porsche role.
For those focused on Audi , Mindt’s appointment carries some relevance. After beginning his career within the Group in 1996 following his graduation from Pforzheim University’s School of Design, Mindt held several Volkswagen brand roles before moving to Audi AG in 2014. There, he led a comprehensive realignment of Audi exterior design, shaping models ranging from the A1 and Q3 through to the Q8 and the e-tron GT. That period marked a renewed emphasis on sharper surfacing, stronger proportions and a clearer visual hierarchy across Audi’s lineup.
In 2021, Mindt was appointed Director of Design at Bentley Motors, where he defined the brand’s next design chapter. The Bentley Batur, unveiled in 2024, served as a first expression of that direction. He returned to Wolfsburg in February 2023 to lead Volkswagen Passenger Cars design, with a mandate to reinforce recognizability and brand clarity.
According to the Group, sharpening design strategy and ensuring unmistakable products has been a top priority for more than three years. Under Mauer’s leadership, individual brands were tasked with refining their DNA and positioning, resulting in more clearly differentiated model families. Group Design’s core responsibility remains the visible articulation of each marque’s origin and character, while also aligning products with regional market expectations.
Mauer’s own career at Porsche began in 2004, making him only the fourth Head of Design in the marque’s history. During his tenure, he oversaw key programs including revisions to the Cayenne, the introduction of the Panamera and the 918 Spyder, and the brand’s transition into the electric era.
With Mindt now stepping into the Group role, Volkswagen signals continuity in its emphasis on strong, identifiable brand design—while also marking a generational shift in leadership at one of the industry’s most influential design organizations.
ALL THINGS CONSIDERED, WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR AUDI OR ITS OWN DESIGN CHIEF MASSIMO FRASCELLA?
Volkswagen Group tends to be excellent at letting its own brands be themselves, with individual design departments and even headquarters. Mauer’s departure is more of a planned rotation than the company seeking a new direction as was the case when Massimo Frascella was hired at Audi, so we don’t expect radical changes to come down from the Volkswagen Group.
Frascella’s new direction hasn’t even really begun yet. The Concept C, reconfirmed again yesterday, is expected to be the first real product to show Audi’s new design language in production form.
If there were a wide and vocal negative response to Concept C, things might be different. However, the wide and vocal negative views of where Audi is currently and general appreciation for design seen in Concept C suggests no real changes are expected.
ALTERNATIVELY, IS IT NOT GOOD THAT MASSIMO FRASCELLA HAVE BEEN CONSIDERED FOR THE VOLKSWAGEN GROUP ROLE?
Massimo Frascella hasn’t been at Audi long enough to really know the fruit of what his work at Audi will bear. Mauer’s run at Porsche preceded his tenure at the overall design position Mindt now inherits. An earlier and well-known Volkswagen Group design chief Walter de Silva spent years at SEAT and then Audi before assuming the role. So, while Frascella could someday take that role, it’s likely too soon for him to get the spot at this time.
My guess also is that his focus is likely seeing Audi experience a return or renaissance ushered in by his new design language. Likely that is why Mindt is also staying on as head of design at Volkswagen where a similar need for a shift is necessary.
LISTEN TO MINDT TALK ABOUT DESIGN & ALSO HIS BACKGROUND
Mindt discussed his history in great detail for the NIWWRD Podcast that this site added to its curated Audi-interest podcast section. Given his new relevance to the overall Volkswagen Group business that includes Audi, it’s worth giving it a listen.
FOLLOW ANDY MINDT ON INSTAGRAM
Like Audi design boss Massimo Frascella, Andy Mindt maintains his own active Instagram account and is not shy about sharing his activities or his views publicly. In as much, Andy’s Instagram account is definitely worth a follow.