Head of VW of America in surprise resignation

By Compiled From Wire Service Dispatches With Analysis From Monitor Correspondents Around The World; Edited By Anne Shutt

September 28, 1982

Troy, Mich.

James McLernon, president of Volkswagen of America, resigned Monday as chief executive officer of the No. 5 automaker in the nation.

Mr. McLernon, who gave no indication of his future plans, will be replaced by Noel Phillips, currently managing director of the McCarthy Group, a company dealing in automotive products. A VW spokesman said the McLernon resignation was considered a ''great surprise'' by VW employees.