New MD & Co-MD Announced At VPCM and PHSAM

Renate Noessler (left) now leads VPCM and PHSAM as its MD whilst Kurt Leitner (right) assists her as co-MD.

Earlier today, the combined Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) and PHS Automotive Malaysia (PHSAM) entities, responsible for distributing the Volkswagen and Audi brands respectively, announced a change in its leadership.

Succeeding Denyu Bostandzhiev are both Renate Noessler and Kurt Leitner. The latter exec has been appointed as co-managing director (co-MD) and will assist Renate who was named as new managing director (MD). Notably, Renate now stands as the first lady to lead VPCM as well.

“With our growing network at VPCM and PHSAM, we will be focused on delivering exceptional experiences to our customers. I am confident that both brands will continue to thrive in this ever-evolving landscape,” expressed Renate via a prepared statement issued via press release today.

Previous co-MD Denyu Bostandzhiev, who joined and led VPCM and PHSAM in 2023, pictured with the Golf GTI Edition 50 whilst also receiving a certificate for organising a record-setting VW Golf gathering event.

In said release, both firms noted that Renate brings 30 years of experience covering sales, marketing, and business consulting. Prior to this, she served Audi Singapore as its general manager of sales, and proved ‘instrumental’ in driving growth across Southeast Asian markets.

In the same release, both VPCM and PHSAM also revealed that Denyu, who joined and led both firms as co-MD in 2023, has progressed to a new undisclosed ‘leadership role’ within parent firm Porsche Holding Salzburg (PHS).

Some of Denyu's other memorable exploits besides special edition VW models include the localisation of key models like the Audi Q7, as well as spearheading the Audi brand's entry into the local EV market.

During his tenure, Denyu was perhaps best known for spearheading the localisation of key models like the VW Golf R super-hatch, as well as the VW Touareg luxury SUV and more recently its Audi Q7 cousin too.

We’ll even add that Denyu led PHSAM to spearhead the Audi brand’s entry into the local electric vehicle (EV) market space with its signature e-tron SUVs and GT models too.