• by Tanya Gazdik , October 22, 2024

Volkswagen marketing executive Jochen Sengpiehl has been permanently banned from China after illegal drugs were allegedly found in his system.

Sengpiehl served as Volkswagen AG’s global chief marketing officer from September 2017 to July 2022 when he moved from Germany to China where he became the automaker’s chief marketing officer and head of product strategy.

He was previously CMO of Hyundai Motor Europe for almost  three years. Sengpiehl also held senior level positions at WPP and BBDO. 

“The creator of VW's famous slogan ‘Das Auto,’ Sengpiehl played a crucial role in positioning the company's electric-vehicle business in a highly competitive Chinese market,” according to Benizinga. “Volkswagen is under pressure from local manufacturers like BYD BYDDF, a publicly listed Chinese multinational manufacturing conglomerate. Last year, BYD overtook Volkswagen as China's best-selling car brand.”

Per reports, Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered his deportation.

“The test, mandated by the Chinese government as part of a customs procedure, was conducted after Sengpiehl’s return from a recent holiday in Koh Samui, Thailand,” per WardsAuto. “The incident unfolded two weeks ago when Sengpiehl landed back in Beijing, where Volkswagen Group China is headquartered, following his vacation. He was subjected to a routine drug test, which revealed traces of cannabis in his system, a substance strictly forbidden under Chinese law, even if consumed abroad.”

VW sources confirm a police report by Beijing authorities alleging Sengpiehl not only tested positive for cannabis but also for cocaine, according to WardsAuto. 

"The report, which has been made public in China, claims a tip from Thai police led Beijing to order the drug test for the VW executive. Cannabis is legal in Thailand, but not cocaine," per WardaAuto. "Cannabis, legal in Germany as of 2023 and decriminalized in Thailand since 2022, is treated with zero tolerance in China."

Sengpiehl was interrogated for hours before being put behind bars, Germany's Bild tabloid reported. 

“He remained in custody for more than 10 days before VW and German embassy officials succeeded in getting him released -- but he had to leave the country immediately,” Bild reported, according to MSN. 

VW is reviewing the matter internally, The Financial Times reported.

“Germany's Federal Foreign Office confirmed to the FT that its embassy in Beijing had ‘provided consular assistance and was in regular contact with the concerned individual and his family as well as with the local authorities,’” according to Reuters. “ Volkswagen and Germany's Federal Foreign Office did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for a comment outside regular business hours.”