Wolfgang Müller-Pietralla studied biology at the University of Hanover, focusing on models and simulations of ecologic systems. In 1992, he joined the environmental protection department at Volkswagen AG (VW), where he introduced a sustainable environmental management system. During EXPO 2000, Mr Müller-Pietralla was VW's project manager and stage-managed both the Autostadt and the rain-forest house. After their opening he was in charge of quality management for two years. Since 2003, he has held a key position in setting-up Volkswagen's future affairs department.
By analyzing future trends and scenarios, his department is involved in the vision- and strategy process of Volkswagen and furthermore embedded in the innovation process where future mobility and vehicle concepts are deducted.