WOLFSBURG — Volkswagen has promoted Piek von Bestenbostel to lead corporate communications, replacing Hans-Gerd Bode, according to PR Report. 

Bode steps down from the role after he joined Volkswagen in late 2015 alongside CEO Mathias Müller from Porsche, at the height of the automaker's emissions scandal.

Müller is to be replaced as CEO by former brand manager Herbet Diess as part of Volkswagen's continued attempts to restructure the company.

Von Bestenbostel spent seven years leading corporate and business communications at Volkswagen subsidiary Skoda, before taking on oversight of VW's passenger cars unit under Diess, who previously worked with his new comms chief at BMW. 

The shakeup comes more than two years after 'dieselgate' rocked Volkswagen, resulting in a $2.8bn fine from US authorities. Last week, the company said it would reorganise into six businesses, with a separate portfolio for China.