Porsche in crisis: Michael Leiters should bring new speed!

Porsche in crisis: Michael Leiters should bring new speed!

On October 18, 2025, the employees of Porsche AG received drastic news: Oliver Blume will hand over his position as CEO to Michael Leiters. Blume, who has been at the helm of the company since 2015 and is also the head of Volkswagen, decided on this step by mutual agreement. The appointment of Leiter is seen as a strategic realignment of the brand, which is in one of the deepest crises in decades.

Michael Leiters, an experienced manager with an impressive CV, has previously held top positions at both Ferrari and McLaren. He filled the role of chief technology officer at Ferrari for five years and was subsequently CEO of McLaren for three years before having to step down in April 2025 due to a corporate restructuring. His career at Porsche began in 2000, where he played a key role in the development of the Cayenne. With a degree in mechanical engineering, he has the necessary technical knowledge to steer Porsche through the current challenges.

Challenges and opportunities

The decision to appoint Leiters comes at a time when Porsche is facing declining sales and shrinking market share, particularly in China. The company is also facing the costly transition from combustion engines to electric vehicles. Analysts are optimistic after the announcement: Porsche shares rose 1.2%, while Volkswagen shares rose 1.7%.

Leiters will take full control of the company from the beginning of 2026. During the transition period, he is expected to work with Oliver Blume to drive forward the strategic realignment. Porsche has set itself the goal of seizing future opportunities with the 2030 Plus strategy and adapting to changing market conditions. This strategy includes four cross-sectional strategies: customer, products, sustainability and transformation. Quality and a consolidated return on sales of over 20 percent are the focus of these plans.

Innovations and the future of the brand

Porsche has recognized that the world is becoming increasingly digital and connected and that this requires adapting to customer needs. The strategy aims to not only develop innovative products, but also to create a unique and exclusive product experience, while focusing on profitable and sustainable business. As part of the strategy, the corporate culture is also promoted in order to motivate employees to achieve top performance.

In this context, the appointment of Michael Leiters is seen as a crucial measure to keep Porsche on track and be successful in the changing automotive industry. The focus on sustainability, decarbonization and the circular economy are further core elements of the corporate strategy and reflect Porsche's commitment to thinking forward.

The next few months will show how successful the handover from Oliver Blume to Michael Leiters will be and how the company can respond to the challenges of the future.

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