Ferdinand Piech

Date of Birth: April 17, 1937

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Date of Death: August 25, 2019

Biography

Ferdinand Karl Piëch was an influential Austrian businessman, engineer, and automotive designer born into the renowned Porsche family. He was born on April 17, 1937, in Vienna, Austria. Piëch earned his mechanical engineering degree from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, where he wrote a thesis on the development of a Formula One engine. Piëch began his career at Porsche in 1963, where he worked on the development of the Porsche 906 race car and later became the head of the development department. In 1972, he moved to Audi, where his innovative ideas and leadership resulted in the creation of the Audi Quattro, a pioneering all-wheel-drive system that revolutionized the automotive industry. In 1993, Piëch became the chairman of Volkswagen Group, and under his leadership, the company expanded significantly, acquiring brands such as Bentley, Bugatti, and Lamborghini. He was known for his hands-on management style and his relentless pursuit of engineering excellence, which helped transform Volkswagen into one of the world’s leading automotive manufacturers. Piëch retired from the board of Volkswagen in 2015 but continued to be a significant figure in the automotive industry until his death on August 25, 2019.

5 Interesting Facts about Ferdinand Piech

1. Ferdinand Piëch was the grandson of Ferdinand Porsche, the founder of Porsche.

2. He was instrumental in the development of the Porsche 917, one of the most successful race cars of its time.

3. Piëch’s leadership at Audi led to the creation of the Audi Quattro, which dominated the World Rally Championship in the 1980s.

4. He played a pivotal role in Volkswagen’s acquisition of luxury brands such as Bentley, Bugatti, and Lamborghini.

5. Piëch was known for his demanding management style and was often referred to as a perfectionist.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Ferdinand Piech

1. “The best investment is in the tools of one’s own trade.”

2. “I believe in the power of engineering to change the world.”

3. “Quality means doing it right when no one is looking.”

4. “Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.”

5. “Success is the result of perfection, hard work, learning from failure, loyalty, and persistence.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his career, Ferdinand Piëch’s net worth was estimated to be around $1.2 billion.

Children

Ferdinand Piëch had 12 children from several marriages. His family life was as complex and expansive as his professional career, with many of his children following in his footsteps into various business and engineering roles.