Frank Steinleitner appointed as managing director of Volkswagen Group Malaysia
Volkswagen Group Malaysia has confirmed that Frank Steinleitner has taken over the role of managing director from Dr Susanne Lehmann, who has left the company after almost three years of dedicated leadership.
Frank Steinleitner took on the managing director role at Volkswagen Group Malaysia, effective from September 1
Volkswagen Group Malaysia
The appointment of Frank Steinleitner as Volkswagen Group Malaysia's managing director came into effect on September 1, 2026. He brings more than three decades of international automotive experience to the role, having previously held senior executive positions across Germany, Africa and Asia.
Over the span of his career, Steinleitner has successfully led premium automotive businesses, including the successful re-establishment of Lamborghini in South Korea and the management of one of Seoul's leading Porsche dealerships.
Volkswagen has said that its appointment of Steinleitner to this role reflects its commitment to strengthening its presence in Malaysia while accelerating the next phase of the brand's transformation. Volkswagen reaffirmed that Malaysia remains a strategically important market for the brand in the ASEAN region, highlighting the country's growing passenger vehicle segment, supportive industrial policies and expanding electrification agenda as the perfect conditions to support future growth.
In his role as managing director, Steinleitner will focus on expanding Volkswagen's market position, improving customer experience and deepening collaboration with key partners. One particularly important relationship for Volkswagen Group Malaysia that Steinleitner is keen to continue is its collaboration with assembly partner DRB-HICOM.
Several Volkswagen models are currently assembled locally by DRB-HICOM from completely knocked-down (CKD) kits at a plant in Pekan, Malaysia, with the brand's portfolio in the country including the locally-assembled Tayron seven-seater SUV, as well as the Golf GTI, Golf R and Golf R-Line.
Volkswagen plans to build on its existing partnership with DRB-HICOM, with this vehicle assembly operation providing a foundation for future initiatives aligned with Malaysia's National Automotive Policy 2020 – which aims to strengthen domestic automotive capabilities, develop local suppliers and advance vehicle technologies – and the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 – a broader strategy to increase the value and technological sophistication of Malaysian manufacturing.
"I am excited to return to the automotive industry in Malaysia – a market I know well and a country I truly appreciate," said Steinleitner. "Together with our dedicated team, dealer partners and DRB-HICOM, we will continue strengthening Volkswagen's position while supporting Malaysia's automotive ambitions through increased local involvement, innovation and long-term investment."
Volkswagen Group Malaysia has shared its belief that with Steinleitner's appointment as managing director, the company is entering a new phase focused on sustainable growth, stronger local partnerships, enhanced manufacturing capabilities and continued investment in Malaysia's automotive future.
"I look forward to building on the strong foundation established by the team and working closely with our partners to shape Volkswagen's next chapter in Malaysia," Steinleitner added.
Steinleitner succeeded Dr Susanne Lehmann as managing director, who has left Volkswagen Group Malaysia after more than two and a half years of dedicated leadership. At ALSC ASEAN 2025, Lehmann discussed Volkswagen's 'ASEAN for ASEAN' localisation strategy and the group's plans for expansion across Southeast Asia.
