Finance

Porsche starts talks to end CFO, sales chief contracts

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on February 2, 2025

2 min read

· Last updated: January 26, 2026

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Porsche logo representing the company's financial challenges and leadership changes - Global Banking & Finance Review
The Porsche logo symbolizes the company's recent discussions to terminate CFO Lutz Meschke and sales chief Detlev von Platen's contracts due to poor performance and declining sales in China.
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BERLIN (Reuters) -Porsche's supervisory board has started talks to end finance chief Lutz Meschke's and sales executive Detlev von Platen's contracts early, the German luxury carmaker said in a

Porsche Initiates Discussions to Terminate CFO and Sales Chief Contracts

BERLIN (Reuters) -Porsche's supervisory board has started talks to end finance chief Lutz Meschke's and sales executive Detlev von Platen's contracts early, the German luxury carmaker said in a statement late on Saturday, as it struggles to boost flagging earnings and weak sales in China.

German large circulation newspaper Bild was first to report on the talks, with Porsche releasing a statement shortly after that.

Porsche declined to give any further comment to Reuters.

Both managers have been criticised for the company's poor performance and weak share price, the newspaper said.

In October, the carmaker said it would cut costs as it is struggling with a weakening economy and growing competition in China, the world's largest automotive market, and a slower-than-expected electric vehicle transition.

Porsche's shares, having initially performed strongly following their debut in September 2022, and even outperforming its parent Volkswagen by market capitalisation, closed on the last trading day on Friday 30% lower than the IPO price.

Volkswagen finds itself amidst a massive restructuring and plans to cut more than 35,000 jobs in the future, seeking to regain ground from cheaper Chinese rivals amid weak demand in Europe and a slower-than-expected adoption of electric vehicles.

(Reporting by Andrey Sychev and Victoria Waldersee;Editing by Elaine Hardcastle)

Key Takeaways

  • Porsche is in talks to terminate CFO and sales chief contracts early.
  • The company faces challenges with earnings and sales in China.
  • Porsche's share price has dropped 30% since IPO.
  • Volkswagen plans major restructuring amid weak demand.
  • Porsche aims to cut costs due to economic challenges.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the reason for Porsche's management changes?
Both finance chief Lutz Meschke and sales executive Detlev von Platen have been criticized for the company's poor performance and weak share price.
What challenges is Porsche currently facing?
Porsche is struggling with a weakening economy, growing competition in China, and a slower-than-expected transition to electric vehicles.
How have Porsche's shares performed since their debut?
Porsche's shares initially performed strongly after their debut in September 2022 but have since faced challenges, closing lower on the last trading day.
What is Volkswagen's current situation?
Volkswagen is undergoing a massive restructuring and plans to cut over 35,000 jobs to regain market share from cheaper Chinese rivals amid weak demand in Europe.
Who reported the news about Porsche's management discussions?
The news about Porsche's management discussions was first reported by the German newspaper Bild.

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