Wolfspeed Names Bret Zahn as Automotive Business Lead Amid Electric Vehicle Market Growth

Wolfspeed has appointed Bret Zahn as Vice President and General Manager of its Automotive business, a move that aligns with the company’s strategic expansion in the electric vehicle (EV) market. Zahn, reporting to Chief Business Officer Cengiz Balkas, will be based at Wolfspeed’s headquarters in Durham, N.C.

Zahn’s role involves overseeing the development and execution of Wolfspeed’s automotive product roadmap, focusing on silicon carbide (SiC) solutions to meet the needs of global EV manufacturers and Tier 1 suppliers. He will collaborate with engineering, R&D, and commercial teams to address demands for power efficiency, performance, and scalability in electric mobility.

CEO Robert Feurle noted that silicon carbide is critical for extending EV driving range, improving energy efficiency, and reducing charging times. Wolfspeed’s U.S.-based, vertically integrated SiC manufacturing, including its 200mm Mohawk Valley Fab and materials facility in North Carolina, supports a secure and scalable supply chain for automotive customers.

Zahn brings 35 years of experience in engineering and business management, most recently serving as VP and GM of the Automotive Traction Solutions Business Unit at onsemi. There, he led the growth of SiC and IGBT bare die and power module sales from 2020 to 2024. 

Zahn expressed enthus...