The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) has appointed a new Chairman for its Light Commercial Vehicle General Managers’ Committee: Thomas Sedran, who is also Chairman of the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Board of Management.

Light commercial vehicles (LCVs), better known as vans, represent a vital link in Europe’s logistics chain, enabling the ‘last mile’ delivery of goods in urban areas for example. Largely used by SMEs as business tools, vans help businesses to thrive. LCVs also enable a broad range of other activities including construction, postal services, ambulances, policing and rescue operations.

“Key priorities for the coming years are providing new transport solutions and introducing increasing levels of automation,” stated Dr Sedran following his appointment. “Also high on ACEA’s agenda is the need to further reduce CO2 emissions from road transport in order to help achieve climate targets.”

The CEOs of all European manufacturers of light commercial vehicles sit on ACEA’s Light Commercial Vehicle General Managers’ Committee. Dr Sedran takes over the role from Volker Mornhinweg of Mercedes-Benz Vans with immediate effect.

  • Thomas Sedran has been Chairman of the Board of Management for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles since September 2018.
  • Dr Sedran holds a PhD in economics. He worked as a management consultant from 1988 to 2012, holding responsibility on a global level for the Automotive Competence Center at Roland Berger Strategy Consultants until 2006. He then became managing director of the automotive industry section at management consultant AlixPartners in Munich.
  • Dr Sedran became the member of the Management Board of Adam Opel AG in charge of strategy and operations and interim CEO in 2012, and assumed responsibility for the Chevrolet and Cadillac brands in Europe as President and Managing Director in July 2013.
  • Volkswagen appointed him Senior Vice President Group Strategy in 2015. He was named General Secretary of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft in 2017.

Source and photo credit: ACEA