Volkswagen replacing head of operations in North America

Pablo Di Si / Volkswagen

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) —  Volkswagen (VW) is replacing the head of their operations in North America after a challenging year both here and in Europe.

The company says Pablo Di Si stepped down but industry newspapers have reported that he was under the gun for weeks.

Reports in Europe say that Si vastly over-promised how many electric vehicles the company could sell in North America this year.

Kjell Gruner / Volkswagen

Electric S-U-V sales have increased here, but not as fast as they wanted.

And the company has put a new electric version of the Passat on hold.

VW is also dealing with major changes back home in Germany.

They are closing three plants, cutting costs that are double some of their competitors and facing threats of strikes from their German union.

The new North American boss is Kjell Gruner, who takes over before Christmas.