Volkswagen US Head Steps Down


September 9, 2005


My Dear Colleagues:

As you know, May of this year was very tough for the VW brand.
We and our dealers found ourselves at a lowpoint, but with the support
of VWAG and your hard work and determination we have started to turn the
corner. I am very proud of these achievements and believe that together
we have built a solid foundation on which to grow. We have a strategy,
we have analyzed our core processes, and we reorganized accordingly. We
have a new approach to our marketing and some excellent new product in
the pipeline, but most importantly I truly believe our dealers are
beginning to feel the warm wind on their backs and not the cold wind in
their faces.

Given all these positive actions, I feel very comfortable about
the future of the VW Brand in the U.S. and Canada. Having said this, I
must inform you that Ive been offered a wonderful opportunity to join
the Board of Bentley Motors in Crewe as its Member for Sales & Marketing
Worldwide, and after much consideration, have decided to accept this
opportunity. Believe me, the hardest part of the decision was leaving
behind all the close colleagues Ive had the pleasure of working with
these past six and a half years, and I mean that sincerely.

Those of you who know me well, also know that beside being a
true Brit (although I must say youve done a wonderful job of
"Americanizing" me these past years), I am fueled by brand passion, and
so Im very excited to work with this great British Brand. I am also
looking forward to spending time with family and old friends - something
Ive not had much of a chance to do since relocating to America.

I feel so pleased to have had the opportunity to work with all
of you, to have spent time with you, your spouses and your children, and
most of all, to have shared many successes with you in both the VW and
Audi brands. No one could have asked for a more warm, passionate,
wonderful group of people than those Ive worked with here at Volkswagen
of America, both here in Auburn Hills and in the field. These are
relationships that I will cherish for the rest of my life. Thank you for
making my time here worthwhile - you have inspired me more than you
know, and for that I will always be grateful.

Your new Executive Vice President for the VW Brand is an old
friend of mine, Adrian Hallmark. I first knew Adrian from my Audi days
in Great Britain and have watched him perform a marvelous role in recent
years in the job I will be taking over at Bentley. In short, were
switching roles so I am afraid you are getting another Brit! The
effective date of these changes has yet to be announced.

The good news for me (but maybe not for you) is that you aint
seen the back of me yet, as the U.S. and Canada are key Bentley markets;
therefore, you will still see me in the halls of Auburn Hills
occasionally, and that Andrew Stuart is going to call me sir! I hope to
see you all from time to time, hear how youre doing and, most of all,
to let me know how youve managed to keep the passion, the discipline
and your brands alive and kicking. That is what I expect from each and
every one of you, and that is how Ill know youve listened, that my
words made a difference, and that Ive inspired you as much as youve
inspired me.

I will not say goodbye, but farewell for now. Thanks for the
journey - its been a hell of a ride.

Best regards,
Len