Franz-Josef Paefgen

Franz -Josef Paefgen ( born May 10, 1946 in Büttgen / Kaarst ) is a German manager. He was a board member of Audi (1995-2002), CEO of Bentley (2002-2011) and President of Bugatti Automobiles ( 2007-2011).

Life

Paefgen studied from 1967 mechanical engineering and economics at the University of Karlsruhe " Fridericiana " in Karlsruhe and the RWTH in Aachen. In 1976 he was on the faculty of Mechanical Engineering of RWTH work with computer -Based Planning a demand -bus system, Dr.- Ing. doctorate. He started his career in 1976 at Ford Werke AG in Cologne, first as a graduate trainee. Activities in engine development and quality assurance followed.

In 1980 Paefgen Audi in Neckarsulm, where he was responsible for interior and electrics. In 1987 he moves to Audi in Ingolstadt and initially headed the development of facilities and air conditioning. In 1991, Paefgen the line product planning and project management, in February 1994 he was acting director of technical development.

From March 1995 to April 1997 Paefgen was a member of the Board of Management of AUDI AG for Technical Development. On January 1, 1997, he took over the post of deputy chairman of Audi AG and thus followed Herbert Demel after. From July 1997 Paefgen was Speaker of the Audi Board of Management. From March 1998 to February 2002 he was Chairman of the Board of Management of Audi AG, from November 1998 to February 2002 at the same time president of Automobili Lamborghini SpA.

Since 1 March 2002, he is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer ( CEO) of Bentley Motors Ltd.. In addition Paefgen operates in the VW Group as General Manager for Motorsports and research. From 2003 to 2005, he served as Managing Director of Bugatti Engineering already for the development of the Bugatti Veyron 16.4, since March 2007, he is also President of Bugatti Automobiles SAS in Molsheim and Bugatti International S. A. in Luxembourg. Effective February 1, 2011 Franz -Josef Paefgen retired. His successor as CEO of Bentley Motors and President of Bugatti Automobiles SAS Wolfgang Dürheimer approached.

2006 Paefgen was honored for his commitment to racing at Le Mans with the Spirit of Le Mans of the Automobile Club de l' Ouest.

Paefgen is a longstanding member of the University Council of the Catholic University of Eichstätt- Ingolstadt.