HW Vassen will assume the role of Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Member of the Board of Management at PowerCo SE starting August 1, 2024, following approval from the Supervisory Board of PowerCo SE. Vassen, who has been pivotal in developing PowerCo’s unified cell as Head of Series Development, will oversee technology and product development, as well as testing and analytics in his new role. He succeeds Soonho Ahn, who is stepping down at the end of July and will continue to advise the Volkswagen Group.
“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,” said Frank Blome, CEO of PowerCo SE. “With HW Vassen we have been able to win 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 has been with PowerCo SE since mid-2023, having previously spent six years in China overseeing battery cell and system development for Volkswagen Group China. Born in 1972, Vassen studied electrical engineering at RWTH Aachen University and has been part of the Volkswagen Group since 1999.
Soonho Ahn, born in Seoul in 1960, received his PhD in electrochemistry for battery applications from Auburn University in 1992. Since joining PowerCo SE in 2022, he has been instrumental in building the technology department. Ahn previously served as Global Head of Battery Development at Apple.
This leadership transition marks a significant step in PowerCo SE’s strategy to strengthen its technological capabilities and maintain its competitive edge in the battery industry.
