Porsche has announced that Michael Leiters will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer on January 1, 2026, succeeding Oliver Blume. Blume will continue to lead the Volkswagen Group, a position he has held since 2022.
Leiters brings a wealth of experience to the role. He was previously the CEO of McLaren Automotive from mid-2022 until April 2023, when the company was acquired by an investment firm based in Abu Dhabi. Prior to his tenure at McLaren, he served as the Chief Financial Officer at Ferrari for eight years. His connection with Porsche is longstanding; he worked with the brand from 2000 to 2013, where he undertook various roles including project manager for the Cayenne Hybrid and oversight of the Cayenne and Macan product lines. Leiters holds an engineering diploma from RWTH Aachen University.
Blume’s Legacy and Challenges Ahead
Blume, who has been at the helm of Porsche since 2015, has overseen significant developments for the brand. Notably, he introduced the first electric vehicle, the Taycan, in 2019 and initiated plans to transition most models to electric power, excluding the iconic 911. Under his leadership, the Macan EV was launched in 2024, with the Cayenne EV expected to debut later this year.
Despite these efforts, Porsche has faced challenges in the electric vehicle market. The anticipated growth in EV sales has not materialized as expected, leading to a notable decline in the brand’s profit margins. This shift has prompted a reevaluation of Porsche’s product strategy, including the acceleration of a new petrol-powered SUV to complement the EV-only Macan and the cancellation of a planned three-row electric SUV. Furthermore, the company is now adding high-end petrol engine options to the next-generation 718 Boxster and Cayman, which were originally intended to be electric-only.
In 2022, Blume was appointed to lead the Volkswagen Group, which encompasses several major brands, including Audi, Skoda, and Lamborghini, while continuing his role at Porsche. His dual responsibilities have underscored the complexities of managing a vast automotive conglomerate during a time of significant industry transformation.
As Porsche prepares for this leadership transition, the focus will be on navigating the evolving landscape of electric mobility while maintaining the brand’s storied reputation for performance and innovation. The appointment of Leiters signals a potential new direction for Porsche as it seeks to balance its heritage with the demands of modern automotive markets.
