BERLIN (Reuters) -- Former BMW executive Herbert Diess will take the helm of Volkswagen's core passenger-car brand three months earlier than planned, VW said.
Diess, 56, will start on July 1 rather than on Oct. 1 as originally announced late last year, VW said in a statement on Friday.
Diess will take over from Martin Winterkorn who is currently head of the VW Group and the VW brand. Winterkorn will retain the group CEO role.
Diess will also get a position on the VW Group management board.
VW said it had come to an agreement with BMW, where Diess was development chief until December, to allow Diess to start earlier.
Last year Diess was named an Automotive News Europe Eurostar for his role in the launch of BMW's new “i” models.
Porsche change
VW also said it has appointed Porsche CEO Matthias Mueller, 61, to the group management board starting March 1. Mueller retains his responsibilities as head of Porsche.
Automotive News Europe contributed to this report
