Wolfsburg honors Hans Dieter Pötsch: A life for art and VW!

Wolfsburg honors Hans Dieter Pötsch: A life for art and VW!

In an impressive ceremony on December 2, 2025, Hans Dieter Pötsch was made an honorary citizen of the city of Wolfsburg by Mayor Dennis Weilmann. This award was approved by the city council in October 2025 at Weilmann's suggestion and was formally recognized during this year's Advent meeting. Pötsch, who has been Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Volkswagen AG since 2015, has emerged as a central player in the change and realignment of the company. His commitment not only to Volkswagen, but also to art, sport and the community foundation in Wolfsburg was particularly appreciated by those present.

In his speech, Oliver Blume, CEO of Volkswagen, emphasized the important role that Pötsch has played in the company for over 20 years. Pötsch is not only perceived as a pillar of Volkswagen's success, but also as someone who took on responsibility in critical times. Daniela Cavallo, chairwoman of the general and group works councils, praised his integrity and non-partisan approach on the supervisory board, which is often a rarity these days.

Pötsch's influence on Wolfsburg

The realignment of Volkswagen, which became a reality under Pötsch's leadership, not only transformed the company, but also enabled crucial future investments for Wolfsburg. “These investments continue to strengthen the location today,” says Blume. Pötsch is seen as one of the main designers of these important developments, which allowed the city to develop in a dynamic environment.

But Pötsch is not just a business man; his commitment also extends far beyond the company's boundaries. The support he gave to arts and sports in the region is highlighted as an outstanding example of his contribution to the community. This connection between a strong economy and social commitment is what sets Wolfsburg and its citizens apart.

Sustainable urban development in focus

As part of the ongoing developments in Wolfsburg, the aspect of sustainable urban development is becoming increasingly important. On August 25th, a lecture entitled “How does sustainable urban development succeed?” took place at the Wolfsburg Art Museum. instead of. The journalist and sustainability researcher Constantin Alexander provided insights into current megatrends and their impact on urban development. Together with experts such as Julia Leusmann from the city of Wolfsburg and Bernd Rodrian, director of the Heidersberger Institute, possibilities for making the city center more attractive were discussed.

These challenges and opportunities shed new light on the importance of personalities like Pötsch. His influence is directly related to the desire to actively and positively shape the future of Wolfsburg. At a time when the interaction between the economy and society is crucial, it is clear that it is worth setting the right course for sustainable developments.

The combination of economic skill, social commitment and the willingness to change makes Pötsch an outstanding figure in Wolfsburg. The city can move towards a shared future in which both economic and social factors go hand in hand.