Volkswagen hands over regional responsibility to brands

BERLIN: Volkswagen AG is handing over responsibility for regional markets to its different brands, the German carmaker said on Friday, its latest efforts to get closer to markets to respond to customer demand more quickly.

"We are spreading responsibility across several shoulders, we are making Volkswagen faster, leaner and more efficient," Chief Executive Herbert Diess said in a statement on Friday.

Its core Volkswagen passenger car brand will take over responsibility for North America, South America and the Sub-Saharan region, while Audi will manage the Middle East and Asia.

Seat will handle the market in North Africa and Skoda will be responsible for Russia and India. China will remain under the remit of the Volkswagen group.