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A special relationship exists between the former Volkswagen Group CEO Carl H. Hahn and Saxony and the other East German states. Hahn was head of Volkswagen when the Wall fell in 1989. A retrospective
Where were you when you heard about the fall of the Berlin Wall? Professor Carl Horst Hahn Jr., 93, stands at the door of his car and pauses for a moment. A small smile flits across the corners of his mouth because he knows that his answer is not especially impressive: “I was at home and learned about it on television.” He pauses briefly and adds: “It was a very good day for the people, not just for those in Saxony.” Why is that? “More later!” The reason for the interruption is that the former CEO of the Volkswagen Group – Hahn headed the Group from 1982 until 1992 – doesn’t have any time right now. He has to take off for the start of the Sachsen Classic, a classic car rally. Today he is behind the wheel of a Polo G40 fromthe Volkswagen Classic collection, whose model year of 1992 references an exciting period of change in Germany.
The end of August 2019 marks the 17th time participants in the Sachsen Classic drove with around 200 classic cars through historically significant locations in the environs of Dresden and Leipzig. At the starting line of the prestigious classic car rally, not only the fantastic rarities representing various makes and eras of automotive history were diverse, but also the vintage-car drivers themselves: celebrities, automotive journalists, car collectors, and even racing amateurs leading the way with squealing tires. One of these drivers stands out by being particularly inconspicuous: Carl H. Hahn. For one thing, because he can be considered an active driver as well as a classic car enthusiast; for another, the tall 93-year-old Hahn radiates an air of calm and composure.
Carl H. Hahn takes the time to chat, have a group photo taken – “happy to oblige” – and sign autographs.