To run its new “digitization strategy department, the German automobile maker has managed to hire the software guru, who was previously employed at Apple Inc”.
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Such a role at Apple would make sense for Jungwirth. This assumption stems from the fact that prior to joining Apple, Jungwirth was the head of Mercedes-Benz’s Silicon Valley research and development division. Before he worked for Daimler as president and chief executive of Mercedes-Benz Research and Development North America.
It wasn’t immediately clear what Jungwirth’s specific focus will be at Volkswagen.
While the iPhone maker hasn’t commented, emails obtained earlier this year under a Freedom of Information Act request revealed that Apple had been in talks to get access to an autonomous vehicle testing track in the a San Francisco Bay Area. His official position was Director, Mac Systems Engineering where he was responsible for innovation in design and engineering in product development as well as hiring, growing and leading a multicultural research & development team and supporting the Special Projects Group.
He was also vice president of infotainment and telematics – the division that developed touch-screen systems for Mercedes vehicles.
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Volkswagen CEO Mueller told reporters last month that electric vehicles will play a significant role as the company overhauls its product strategy in the wake of an emissions scandal. It is also possible that Volkswagen is secretly cooking up its own smart auto recipe, and doesn’t want anyone to know of it for time being.
