Change at the helm of the Volkswagen Group Italia brands
New responsibilities within the management, effective from 1 November 2025. All roles report directly to Christoph Aringer, Managing Director of the company.
Francesco Cimmino (57), Volkswagen's new Brand Manager, has a degree in aeronautical engineering and began his career in the then FIAT Group, where he held various managerial positions first in the industrial field and then in the commercial sector up to the management of the Alfa Romeo brand. He joined Volkswagen Group Italia in 2010 as Marketing Director of the Volkswagen brand, and has been Director of Škoda since April 2014. After the success achieved at the helm of the brand, confirmed by 11 years of continuous growth in terms of sales and market share, he will now have the task of giving continuity to Volkswagen's performance and consolidating its positioning.
Andrea Calcagni (47) will take over as Director of the Škoda brand. Graduated in Marketing, Andrea began his career in Volkswagen Group Italia in 2010, holding roles of increasing responsibility in Volkswagen, first as Marketing Director and then as Sales Director. After 3 years of international experience at the helm of the Volkswagen Brand in Volkswagen Group Japan KK, he returned to Volkswagen Group Italia at the beginning of 2025 as Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Director. The expertise gained will be essential to continue the growth trend of the Škoda brand in Italy.
Lorenzo Megoli (46) is entrusted with the management of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles with the task of leading the brand towards new important goals. Lorenzo has over twenty years of experience in the automotive sector, gained entirely in Volkswagen Group Italia. After graduating in Business Administration and a master's degree in Marketing, he took his first steps in the company within the Audi Division, acquiring solid skills in various areas of business, marketing and sales, and then moved to Volkswagen. He is currently Director of Network Strategy of the brand, a position in which he deals with the management of the sales network and customer experience, with a strong focus on the digital sphere.
Andrea Alessi will end his career in Volkswagen Group Italia after a long career in the automotive industry, crowned with success and professional satisfaction. Andrea has been able to lead the Volkswagen brand for 13 years with strategic vision and passion; the in-depth knowledge of the market, the Sales Network and their dynamics have contributed decisively to the consolidation of the Brand in Italy.
Christoph Aringer, CEO of Volkswagen Group Italia: "First of all, my thanks go to Andrea Alessi for the dedication and competence with which he has led Volkswagen in his 13 years as Brand Manager. In addition, I am delighted that Francesco, Andrea and Lorenzo, who were already part of the Volkswagen Group Italia team, take on these roles. The new managerial responsibilities represent a strategic step aimed at giving further impulse to the development of the Brands assigned to them, consolidating the relationship with our Network and supporting the launch of new digital and increasingly connected mobility products and services, in a constantly evolving market context".