Porsche appoints Jörg Bartels from Mercedes-Benz

Porsche is restructuring its development leadership. Starting in May 2027, Jörg Bartels will take over the Board of Management responsibility for Research and Development from Michael Steiner. The former Mercedes manager is set to lead technology realignment at the sports car manufacturer.

Jörg Bartels will move from Mercedes-Benz to Porsche in May 2027.

Image: Porsche AG

After more than a decade leading Porsche’s development division, Michael Steiner will hand over his board position to Jörg Bartels in May 2027. As the sports car manufacturer announced, the 62-year-old will leave the company after over two decades. Steiner currently also serves as deputy chairman of Porsche’s executive board.

His successor joins from Mercedes-Benz, where he currently oversees global powertrain system development. Previously, the 52-year-old managed the Chinese joint venture Beijing Benz Automotive, among other roles. Porsche CEO Michael Leiters emphasised Bartels’ expertise in vehicle development and transformation. The new appointee is expected to drive the realignment of the research and development division significantly.

Porsche aims to significantly reduce development costs

The leadership change comes during a phase of comprehensive cost-cutting measures. With the new corporate strategy ‘Sportwagenschmiede ’35‘, Porsche aims to streamline its structures and reduce costs. According to _Manager Magazin_, development costs are to be cut by 20 per cent, and development times shortened by 40 per cent.

At the same time, Porsche must adapt its powertrain strategy to changing market conditions. The sports car manufacturer plans to focus more on a mix of internal combustion engines, plug-in hybrids, and battery-electric vehicles. Additionally, sales in China have declined. While Porsche sold over 90,000 vehicles annually in China at its peak, analysts expect only around 25,000 units for 2026.

Steiner shaped Porsche’s development over many years. His tenure included the introduction of the Taycan as the brand’s first all-electric production model. Supervisory Board Chairman Wolfgang Porsche particularly acknowledged his contribution to transitioning the brand into the era of electromobility.

With Bartels, a manager with experience in both powertrain technologies and the Chinese automotive market will now take the helm of development. It remains unclear which specific priorities he will set in implementing the new strategy.