Dr. Michael Steiner, who has served on the executive board of research and development for Porsche for the last decade, and played a key role in the German manufacturer’s motorsports programs, will step down from his position in May, it has been announced.
Dr. Michael Steiner, a decade-long member of Porsche’s executive board in charge of research and development and a pivotal figure in the company’s motorsport initiatives, will resign from his role in May, according to an official announcement.
The 62-year-old, who is three years short of retirement age at Porsche, will be replaced by 52-year-old Joerg Bartles, who joins from Mercedes-Benz.
At 62, approaching retirement age by three years, he will be succeeded by Joerg Bartels, aged 52, who arrives from Mercedes-Benz.
It comes amid Porsche’s new ‘Sportwagenschmiede ’35’ strategy, which Steiner was “closely involved” in developing, according to a statement from the manufacturer.
This transition coincides with Porsche’s new Sportwagenschmiede ’35’ strategy, a program Steiner is said to have helped shape closely, per the company’s release.
Steiner joined Porsche 25 years ago as head of innovations, concepts and CAE and and at the same time held chief representative at Porsche Engineering Group GmbH, before taking over as head of the Panamera model line and then complete vehicle development and quality in 2011.
Twenty-five years ago, Steiner began his career with Porsche as head of innovations, concepts and CAE, while concurrently serving as chief representative for Porsche Engineering Group GmbH. He later became head of the Panamera program and, in 2011, took charge of overall vehicle development and quality.
He was appointed a member of the executive board in 2016 and last year was named deputy chairman.
He earned a seat on the executive board in 2016 and was elevated to deputy chairman last year.
In addition to helping lead Porsche’s transformation on the production car side, he was also an active supporter of the brand’s motorsport activities, which included the successful Porsche 919 Hybrid program and launch of the Porsche 963 project under Porsche Penske Motorsport.
Apart from guiding Porsche’s shift in production-car development, he actively championed the brand’s motorsport endeavors, including the acclaimed 919 Hybrid program and the initiation of the Porsche 963 project under the umbrella of Porsche Penske Motorsport.
A reason for Steiner’s exit has not been disclosed by Porsche.
Porsche has not disclosed a specific reason for Steiner’s departure.
“Michael Steiner embodies Weissach and its significance for Porsche like no one else. His name stands not only for numerous brand-defining innovations, but also for countless victories on the world’s legendary race tracks,” said Dr. Wolfgang Porsche, chairman of the supervisory board of Porsche AG.
“Michael Steiner personifies Weissach and its importance to Porsche as perhaps no other,” stated Dr. Wolfgang Porsche, chairman of Porsche AG’s supervisory board. “His name is linked not only to many landmark innovations for the brand but also to countless victories on the world’s iconic circuits.”
“His comprehensive and deep understanding of technology was also instrumental in carrying the core of the Porsche brand into the era of electric mobility.
“His broad and deep technical understanding was instrumental in guiding the core Porsche brand into the era of electric mobility,”
“Our heartfelt thank you goes to Dr Michael Steiner for his outstanding work. We wish him all the very best for the future.
“We extend our sincere gratitude to Dr. Michael Steiner for his outstanding contributions and wish him all the best for the future.”
Porsche AG CEO Dr. Michael Leiters added: “Time and again, Michael Steiner and his team have succeeded in transferring motorsport genes to our production vehicles. He is an engineer at heart, and I greatly value his technical expertise and personality.
Porsche AG CEO Dr. Michael Leiters added: “Time after time, Michael Steiner and his team have managed to transplant racing DNA into our road-going models. He is a true engineer at heart, and I greatly value his technical know-how and his personal qualities.”
“Most recently, we worked closely together on developing the strategy Sportwagenschmiede ’35.
“Most recently, we collaborated closely on shaping the Sportwagenschmiede ’35’ strategy.
“Michael Steiner and I prepared this transition together and will organize the handover to his successor in close coordination.
“Michael Steiner and I have planned this transition together and will coordinate the handover to his successor closely.”
“I am already looking forward to working with Joerg Bartels. He brings extensive experience in vehicle development and transformation and has worked internationally.
“I am looking forward to collaborating with Joerg Bartels. He brings broad experience in vehicle development and transformation and has an international track record.”
“He will consistently drive forward the realignment of our research and development that is already underway.”
“He will continue to push forward the ongoing realignment of our research and development efforts.”
