Pursuits

Qatar Said to Seek More Influential Role at Crisis-Stricken VW

  • VW panel composed of labor and company representatives
  • Qatar representative Al Baker openly critical of labor unions
Photographer: Susana Gonzalez/Bloomberg
Lock
This article is for subscribers only.

Qatar, the third largest shareholder in Volkswagen AG, is exploring ways to expand its influence within the German carmaker, with a bigger role on the supervisory board as one possible scenario, according to people familiar with the discussions.

Among the possibilities being discussed is enlarging the so-called presidium of the supervisory board -- which makes up the inner circle of the most senior steering committee at the company -- to eight people from six and granting the Qatar representative a role for the first time, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the talks are private.