Stephan Winkelmann

Stephan Winkelmann (born 18 October 1964) is a German automotive executive and the current President of Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S.[1] and also rejoined as President and CEO of Italian sports car manufacturer Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A.[2] where he was the CEO and president till 2016.

Stephan Winkelmann
Winkelmann in 2017
Born (1964-10-18) October 18, 1964
Berlin, German Democratic Republic
NationalityGerman
OccupationCEO and entrepreneur
Known forCEO of Lamborghini and Bugatti
AwardsKnights Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic

Life

Stephan Winkelmann was born in Berlin of the German Democratic Republic on October 18, 1964. His father was a diplomat.[3] At the age of 1 year old Winkelmann moved with his parents from Berlin to Rome, Italy.[4] He grew up in Rome and studied Political Science, earned his degree in Munich, and spent two years in the German Army as a paratrooper. He achieved the rank of lieutenant in the reserve before leaving.[3]

Career

In 1991, he started his professional career at the German financial institution MLP. In the following years, he focused his interests on the automotive industry, working first for Mercedes-Benz and then for Fiat Auto from 1994 to 2004 in marketing and sales, both in Italy and abroad. He was then appointed as CEO of Fiat Auto Austria, Switzerland and lastly Fiat Auto Germany.[3]

On 1 January 2005, Stephan Winkelmann joined the Volkswagen Group and was appointed President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. in Sant’Agata Bolognese (Italy).[5] In these functions, he built the brand into one of the world's leading manufacturers of supercars. In early 2016 he left Lamborghini to lead Audi's rebranded Audi Sport division. Since 1 January 2018 Winkelmann is the President of Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S.

On the 13th November 2020, it was announced that Winkelmann would be rejoining Lamborghini as CEO, succeeding Stefano Domenicali, as of 1st December 2020.[6]

MarqueYears
Lamborghini1 January 2005 – 15 March 2016
Audi Sport15 March 2016 – 30 December 2017
Bugatti Automobiles1 January 2018 – present
Lamborghini1 December 2020 – present

Awards

In 2009, Stephan Winkelmann was awarded the decoration of Grand Officer in the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (Grande Ufficiale dell’Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana). The award is a tribute to his commitment to relaunching the Italian marque, which has attained a leading position on the international automotive scene.[7]

On May 22, 2014 Stephan Winkelmann received the highest decoration in the Order of Merit of The Italian Republic, Knight Grand Cross. The decoration was awarded through the presidential “Motu Proprio” for the valued results achieved by Winkelmann as leader of one of the most important companies of Made in Italy.[8]


Knights Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic - ribbon for ordinary uniform
Knights Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
"On the initiative of the President of the Republic. For the great value of the management results obtained by Winkelmann at the head of one of the most important Made in Italy companies.[9]"
— 14 March 2014[10]
Grand Officers of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic - ribbon for ordinary uniform
Grand Officers of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
— 27 December 2009[10]

References
  1. https://www.volkswagenag.com/en/news/2017/10/New_President_of_Bugatti.html Retrieved 2018-03-13.
  2. Elias, Mark (2009-09-16). "Interview: Lamborghini President and CEO Stephan Winkelmann". Left Lane News. Retrieved 2011-05-14.
  3. "Stephan Winkelmann – Der Beschleuniger". Financial Times Deutschland. August 9, 2007. Retrieved July 9, 2011.
  4. Katharina Kort: Stephan Winkelmann: „Furbo“ wie die Italiener Handelsblatt, 3. August 2006, zuletzt abgerufen am 9. Juli 2011.
  5. Press release of Volkswagen AG, 1 December 2010 Retrieved 2011-07-09.
  6. https://luxus-plus.com/en/stephan-winkelmann-appointed-as-ceo-of-lamborghini/
  7. Press release of Volkswagen AG, 1 December 2010 Retrieved 2011-07-09.
  8. Press Release of Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A., 23 May 2014 Retrieved 2014-05-28.
  9. "Winkelmann nominato Cavaliere Gran Croce". ANSA. 23 May 2014. Retrieved 28 May 2014.
  10. Sito web del Quirinale: dettaglio decorato.
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