Carl Hahn was born in Chemnitz in 1926 as the son of the former sales manager of Zschopauer Motorenwerke and later co-founder of Auto-Union-Aktiengesellschaft Dr. Carl Hahn. Prof. Hahn passed away peacefully in Wolfsburg on 14.01.2023 at the age of 96.
After studying business administration at the universities of Cologne and Zurich and economics in Bristol, Carl Hahn became head of export promotion at the car manufacturer Volkswagen in 1954. From 1959 to 1964, he then directed the fortunes of "Volkswagen of America" in the USA as Head of Sales and played a decisive role in the development and expansion of the company. After his return to Germany, Hahn was appointed to the VW Board of Management in 1965, moved to Continental AG Hanover in 1972 and returned to Wolfsburg as Chairman of the Board of Management in 1982. Under his leadership, the automotive company grew to become the European market leader. His tenure saw the takeover of the Spanish Seat and Czech Škoda plants as well as the expansion into China. Finally, in 1993, Carl Hahn moved to the Group's Supervisory Board, where he remained until 1997.
The cosmopolitan with Saxon roots was particularly keen to make a new start at the old automobile production sites in Zwickau and Chemnitz. After reunification in 1989, VW became the largest investor in East Germany thanks to Carl Hahn's commitment. He thus played a major role in the economic development of the region and was made an honorary citizen of the city of Chemnitz in 1994 and of the city of Zwickau in 1998.
We mourn the loss of a brilliant educational visionary, inspiring companion and close friend. What remains is a close bond, gratitude and respect for the cosmopolitan Hahn. His motto: "My field is the world" will continue to guide our educational work. We will hold his memory in the highest honor.
Rest in peace, dear Prof. Hahn!
It is an "issue close to his heart", as Hahn is convinced that education, especially early childhood education, can help to keep Germany competitive. Because he felt that the study rate in Germany was too low, Hahn began to focus on educational issues during his time as head of VW. After his retirement, he then delved deeper into the subject, also by working intensively with his eight grandchildren. And it was the research findings of neurobiologist Martin Korte from the Technical University of Braunschweig that strengthened Hahn's conviction that children should be educated as early as possible - especially when it comes to language and foreign language acquisition.
For Carl Hahn, at any rate, the acquisition of knowledge and language is an answer to the radically advancing global upheavals. And for him, it is by no means the elite universities that are important: rather, a radical reform of the foundations of the education system, i.e. kindergartens, is necessary to better prepare children for the world of tomorrow, to make them competitive and at the same time happy people.
Saxony International School - Carl Hahn
gemeinnützige GmbH
Rudolf-Breitscheid-Straße 2
08371 Glauchau
