As Stefan Mecha prepares to conclude his tenure as CEO of Volkswagen China Passenger Cars Brand, he departs with a mixture of pride, reluctance, and deep admiration for a market he calls one of the most vibrant and innovative in the world.

Speaking at a farewell media roundtable last week in Beijing, Mecha described his time in China as "the most rewarding chapter" of his career, even as he admitted the moment of departure is "personally difficult".

"These concept cars represent the work of the past few years — and yet, I will not be here to see them come to life," he said, seated alongside a lineup of concept vehicles that are scheduled to hit the market in 2026.

Since arriving in 2022, Mecha has overseen what he calls a "foundational reset" for Volkswagen's China operations.

The transition has not been without challenges: the COVID-19 pandemic that disrupted in-person interaction during his first six months and the realization that Volkswagen's success in China would require more than simply applying global strategies.

Reflecting on China's rapidly evolving automotive landscape, Mecha said he has been consistently impressed by the speed and boldness of Chinese automakers; qualities Volkswagen has come to appreciate and increasingly emulate.

"We study our competitors closely," he said. "Many Chinese brands are not only innovating faster, they're also delivering real profitability. That's something we can and must learn from."

"Frankly, the past three years were not the easiest in Volkswagen's long history in China," Mecha added. "But they may have been among the most important."

Milestones during Mecha's tenure include the establishment of Volkswagen China Technology Company in 2023, a strategic partnership with XPeng Motors in 2024, and the unveiling of a series of concept vehicles — the ID. CODE, ID. ERA, ID. AURA, and ID. EVO — all developed in collaboration with Chinese partners.

"These concept cars are more than prototypes," Mecha emphasized. "They're proof points of how far we've come in transforming the brand."

Still, he acknowledged that tough challenges lie ahead. "The real work is just beginning," he said.

"It's about execution — brand positioning, product launches, user deliveries. I'm handing this responsibility to Robert Cisek, and I'm confident the team here will keep the momentum going."

Cisek, who takes over as head of Volkswagen China Passenger Cars Brand, praised Mecha's contributions and stressed continuity.

A mechanical engineer by training, Cisek has spent 15 years with Volkswagen, including leading its South African operations.

"Since January, I've worked closely with Stefan and the team," he said. "I'm proud to take over at a moment when we have a strong product pipeline and a clear strategic focus."

When asked what advice he would offer his successor, Mecha shared a key insight: embrace China not just as a market, but as a culture.

"To succeed here, you have to feel something for this country. You need to understand and respect the energy, the ambition, and the passion for innovation. That emotional connection is the foundation for real cooperation."

Starting in July, Mecha will be chairman of the board of management at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, the Hannover-based light commercial vehicle division of Volkswagen Group.

As he leaves for his new post, Mecha says what he will "take home" from China, besides the gifts from his Chinese friends and colleagues, is the spirit of innovation itself.

"I've seen an extraordinary hunger for success here, and an unrelenting drive to create new things," he said.

"If I can bring even a fraction of that spirit back with me to Germany, it can help inspire more passion for the future, and spark new creativity and motivation in my future work. This might be the most important thing I will take away from China," said Mecha.