Eponym
On 2 April 2008 the building receives in a solemn ceremony the honorable name "Villa Hahn", named after the European Industry Manager Prof. Dr. Carl H. Hahn.
Carl Horst Hahn has made great merit to his home region - and to Volkswagen.
He was born on 1 July 1926 at Chemnitz in Saxony. His father Carl Hahn was a successful entrepreneur and has been substantially involved in the rise of DKW to the leading motorcycle factory in the world.
After graduating he studied economics in Germany, Switzerland and England as well as political science in France. In 1952 he received his doctorate “Dr. rer. pol.” in Bern. Afterwards he studied Italian and Art History in Perugia in order to work at Fiat in Italy.
After graduating he studied economics in Germany, Switzerland and England as well as political science in France. In 1952 he received his doctorate “Dr. rer. pol.” in Bern. Afterwards he studied Italian and Art History in Perugia in order to work at Fiat in Italy.
In 1954, Carl H. Hahn joined the former Volkswagen GmbH and made quickly career in sales. From 1959 to 1964 he subsequently headed the " Volkswagen of America". He played a key role in ensuring that Beetle and Bulli almost profiled itselves as cult objects and reached high market shares in the United States.
In 1965, Prof. Dr. Hahn returned to Germany and was appointed to the VW Board of Director with an age of 38. Nine years later, in 1973, he took over the role as President of Continental Gummi-Werke AG in Hannover and led the tire manufacturer to global success within a short time.
In 1965, Prof. Dr. Hahn returned to Germany and was appointed to the VW Board of Director with an age of 38. Nine years later, in 1973, he took over the role as President of Continental Gummi-Werke AG in Hannover and led the tire manufacturer to global success within a short time.
In 1982 C. H Hahn went back to Volkswagen in Wolfsburg, where he wrote unprecedented success stories, in his role as VW President for 11 years. After the German reunification he was particularly concerned in a new beginning of the old production facilities of the automotive industry in Chemnitz and Zwickau. Volkswagen became thanks to its benefits the largest investor in East Germany and created only in the Free State of Saxony 20000 jobs thereby.
In the former Karl-Marx-Stadt, even before the German reunification, he instead tried in tough negotiations to receive the right for a license production of VW engines in the state-owned automobile production, because therewith the fundamental modernization on the motor sector was heralded.
By the end of 1992 he retired from his position as President at the Volkswagen AG and joined the Supervisory Board of the company, where he served until June 1997.
In 2005, he published his interesting memoirs under the title "My Years with Volkswagen". Carl H. Hahn he has been tirelessly committed to this day in numerous political, cultural and social organizations. His vast international experience made him a demanded interpreter on podiums at home and abroad.
In 2006 he founded in Wolfsburg the Carl and Marisa Hahn Foundation, which primarily devoted to the advancement of the education of youth, the elderly care, culture and art as well as science and technology.
In 2006 too, Hahn was elected to the European Automotive Hall of Fame and he is now a honorary citizen of Wolfsburg, Chemnitz, Zwickau and Changchun in China.
Prof. Dr. Carl H. Hahn has helped as automotive manager for half a century to shape the history of Volkswagen's largest automotive group in Europe and is a pioneer of globalisation. The Villa Hahn, where he spent much of his childhood and youth is worthy of his name.
In the former Karl-Marx-Stadt, even before the German reunification, he instead tried in tough negotiations to receive the right for a license production of VW engines in the state-owned automobile production, because therewith the fundamental modernization on the motor sector was heralded.
By the end of 1992 he retired from his position as President at the Volkswagen AG and joined the Supervisory Board of the company, where he served until June 1997.
In 2005, he published his interesting memoirs under the title "My Years with Volkswagen". Carl H. Hahn he has been tirelessly committed to this day in numerous political, cultural and social organizations. His vast international experience made him a demanded interpreter on podiums at home and abroad.
In 2006 he founded in Wolfsburg the Carl and Marisa Hahn Foundation, which primarily devoted to the advancement of the education of youth, the elderly care, culture and art as well as science and technology.
In 2006 too, Hahn was elected to the European Automotive Hall of Fame and he is now a honorary citizen of Wolfsburg, Chemnitz, Zwickau and Changchun in China.
Prof. Dr. Carl H. Hahn has helped as automotive manager for half a century to shape the history of Volkswagen's largest automotive group in Europe and is a pioneer of globalisation. The Villa Hahn, where he spent much of his childhood and youth is worthy of his name.