PowerCo SE is pleased to officially announce the appointment of HW Vassen as its new Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Member of the Board of Management, effective from August 1, 2024. This decision has been formally ratified by the Supervisory Board today. Vassen, who currently holds the position of Head of Series Development at PowerCo SE, has played a pivotal role in the company’s efforts to develop a unified cell, which is scheduled for mass production in 2025.
As the newly appointed CTO, Vassen’s responsibilities will encompass the oversight of technology and product development, as well as testing and analytics. He will succeed Soonho Ahn, who will be stepping down from his role at the end of July, while continuing to provide advisory support to the Volkswagen Group.
Frank Blome, CEO of PowerCo SE, expressed gratitude towards Ahn, acknowledging his significant contributions by stating, “Soonho Ahn deserves our sincere thanks for all he has done at PowerCo. He built up the technology department and laid the foundation for future market success with the unified cell. He has clearly helped us on our way to becoming a sustainable, competitive battery company.”
Furthermore, Blome also praised Vassen’s appointment, emphasizing that, “With HW Vassen, we have found the ideal successor. He has already played a key role in the development of the unified cell and has extensive international experience in battery development. Under his leadership, we will continue to expand our technological power and innovative strength.”
Vassen brings a wealth of experience to his new role, having joined PowerCo SE in mid-2023 and possessing extensive knowledge in battery technology. Prior to his current role, he spent six years in China focusing on battery cells and systems for Volkswagen Group China. His educational background includes a degree in electrical engineering from RWTH Aachen University, and he has been affiliated with the Volkswagen Group since 1999.
Meanwhile, Soonho Ahn, born in Seoul in 1960, has been instrumental in building up the technology department at PowerCo SE since 2022. Prior to joining PowerCo SE, Ahn held the position of Global Head of Battery Development at Apple.
The appointment of HW Vassen as the new CTO of PowerCo SE marks an important transition for the company, as it looks to leverage his expertise and experience to further advance its technology and product development initiatives. This strategic move is poised to have a lasting impact on the company’s future growth and success within the competitive battery industry.