A member of Volkswagen’s supervisory board resigned unexpectedly on the eve of the company’s annual general meeting, raising questions about the carmaker’s corporate governance and board independence. Susanne Wiegand, who joined the board last year and was widely viewed as its sole truly independent member, stepped down citing concerns over her limited influence on key decisions.

Wiegand, the former CEO of defence company Rheinmetall, told the company she would not seek re-election after “carefully considering the full circumstances,” emphasizing the decision was hers alone. Sources familiar with her thinking indicated that she felt sidelined in board discussions and that her input was often disregarded by other members.

Volkswagen declined to comment directly on Wiegand’s departure but confirmed it would seek a replacement in due course. Her departure unsettled investors, with Deka Investment describing it as a “very negative signal.” Tanja Bauer of Deka remarked that the board’s independence had diminished significantly, given that other members are largely affiliated with the company’s management, its major shareholders, or employee representatives.

The supervisory board consists of 20 members, including 10 worker representatives, members of the Porsche-Piëch family—who control a majority stake through Porsche Automobil Holding—as well as representatives from Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund and the German state of Lower Saxony, both sizable shareholders. Wiegand was seen by many investors as a critical voice detached from these internal and shareholder interests, providing a measure of oversight and balance.

Her exit arrives amid a difficult period for Volkswagen, which is facing intensifying competition from Chinese automakers and challenges stemming from US tariffs. The company has also been under scrutiny for potential conflicts of interest, including concerns related to the sale of its diesel engine unit, Everlence.

The sudden loss of Wiegand’s independent perspective may complicate efforts to address these governance issues and reassure stakeholders as Volkswagen navigates a shifting automotive market and regulatory landscape.