PowerCo names René Reif as new COO to drive global battery expansion
PowerCo has appointed René Reif as its new Chief Operations Officer (COO), effective April 1, 2026. He will take over from Sebastian Wolf, who helped establish the company’s first gigafactory in Salzgitter. Reif brings over 30 years of experience in global production leadership to the role. Reif joined PowerCo in early 2025, initially overseeing the construction of the gigafactory in St. Thomas, Canada. His background includes senior production positions at Daimler, with assignments in Europe, Brazil, and China. As COO, he will now lead the planning, construction, and operation of all PowerCo cell factories in Europe and North America.
The Salzgitter site, built on the former VW engine plant grounds, began production in December 2025. Construction of its cell factory started in July 2022 under Wolf’s leadership. Additional plants in Spain and Canada are scheduled to start operations this year and next, respectively.
PowerCo plays a key role in Volkswagen Group’s transition to electromobility. The company is developing a standardised, scalable production network for battery cell technologies. Reif will also join PowerCo’s executive board as part of his new position. With Reif’s appointment, PowerCo aims to expand its global production capacity for battery cells. The new COO will focus on scaling operations across multiple sites, including the recently launched Salzgitter facility. His leadership will support Volkswagen Group’s broader push into electric vehicle manufacturing.
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