Ferdinand Piech Biography and Career

As one can guess Ferdinand Piech is nobody else but son of Anton and Louise Piech, Ferdinand Porsche’s grandson. Ferdinand Piech was born in 1937, and in 1962 he graduated from Zurich Technical University with a degree in Technical Science Doctor. In 1963 he came in grandfather’s company when just shown off Porsche 911 was at the centre of attention.

Piech’s career was started at Engine Testing Department. In some years he headed Advanced Development Department, and in 1971 he was appointed technical manager of the company. Piech was realized perfectly that Porsche was an average-scale company that exerted, well to say, unimportant influence on car history course, and he was intended to preserve the mystery of his uncle for a long time. That’s why two years later Piech without any conflicts with relatives moved on to Audi-NSU Auto Union AG Corporation and gained the position of general manager of Testing Department. One year later he was appointed the manager of technological engineering and in 1983 took up the post of Audi AG directors committee vice-chairman.

Ferdinand Piech kept on Ferdinand Porsche’s line and very soon he persuaded colleagues to change branding logotype for Audi rescue. Sportcars became the priority of the company’s operation: in 1983 was established Quattro GmbH Department, and in 1983-84 years all-wheel drive Audi Quattro was dominating in World Rally Championship. One by one increasingly powerful versions of mass production with all-wheel drive and turbo-supercharging systems were put up on sale.

In 1988 sedan V8 production start was aimed at beating BMW 7 – series and Mercedes-Benz S-class. The mass production of elongated version of V8 Lang model was launched as well. The model was accepted considerable cool but the main aim was reached: Audi gained a deserving place among the world motor-car industry elite. Some years later Piech’s expectation that sportive sedan from Ingolstadt would begin to press BMW cars was justified.

In 1988 Ferdinand Piech became a chairman of Audi AG. He followed the policy of minimizing the expenses of the company that gave a rise to unfavorable criticism and even resistance, however, a continuing growth of the make prestige and the circumstance that it successfully survived the recession of sales at the beginning of ninetieths confirmed Piech’s reputation as a severe but skillful manager once again.

In his presence researching works in the field of aluminum carriage space frame development, multi-valve engine structure were launched, also transmission and antirust protection development were continued. The results showed its worth long since Piech left the company: in 1995 after A4 and A8 debuted, Audi sales volume increased 25%, up to 450 000 cars.

In January 1993 Volkswagen AG supervisory board was recommended Frederic Piech to appoint chairman of directors board. A proposal didn’t meet any objections and grandson was set the head ...