You'd think that a guy who was the brains behind Volkswagen Beetlemania in the U.S. and put Americans in Microbuses long before there were minivans or crossovers, and also helped change auto advertising as we know it ? all in five frenetic years as head of VW of America ? had done enough.
But Carl Hahn returned to Germany, eventually became chairman of Volkswagen AG (retiring in 1991) and all but launched China's auto industry. And the Chinese haven't forgotten.
As Volkswagen's top executive, Hahn thrust the company into Spain, Czechoslovakia, Mexico and South America ? and, most important, China. He beat the rest of the auto world to the country through a joint venture with Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. in 1984.
Hahn, now 92, is still exalted in China. He was named Person of the Year 2018 by China Newsweek magazine. The publication paid tribute to Hahn's role as a pioneer and thought leader during VW's entry into the People's Republic.
The award acknowledged his importance to the formation of China's auto manufacturing and supplier industry ? now the world's largest ? after its political and economic opening 40 years ago.
During the ceremony in Beijing, Hahn reflected on the achievement.
"I am proud to have played a role in this economic development," he said. "I will always remember this. It was my privilege to be part of the experience and to witness how private transportation became accessible to more and more people in Chinese society."
from Section Page News - Automotive News http://bit.ly/2G3z7rz
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