AUDI AG has advised that Gernot Doellner will become chair of its board of management effective September 1 this year after a resolution was passed in June.

He will take over from Markus Duesmann as chair.

Audi’s supervisory board chair, Manfed Doss, said: “I would like to thank Markus Duesmann for all the important work he has done during his tenure at Audi.

“He has brought great foresight and vision to planning and driving forward key strategic decisions, including, first and foremost, the electrification strategy … Audi will be able to build further on these cornerstones in the future.”

Automotive News said that Mr Duesman’s future had been in doubt following a number of mishaps and slow progress on innovation that has seen the luxury brand fall behind competitors BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

It said that Audi was seeking to catch up with rivals in the dash towards electrification, including in China, the world’s top car market.

Mr Duesmann (54), a former BMW executive, has led Audi – regarded as Volkswagen’s ‘cash cow’ alongside Porsche, since 2021.

“At this point in time, Gernot Doellner is the right person to further strengthen the company’s product strategy and its position in key markets,” added Mr Doss.

“Together with the entire board of management, he will add the next chapter to Audi’s successful strategy implementation.”

Mr Doellner said: “I’m honoured and excited to be taking on this new role. Audi is a fantastic company with a rich history. I look forward to shaping the company’s future together with the entire team at Audi.”

With a degree in mechanical engineering, Mr Doellner joined Volkswagen as a Ph.D. candidate in 1993 and subsequently served in a number of management roles at Porsche AG, including as head of concept development and head of the Panamera series.

Since 2021, he has overseen the Volkswagen Group’s product and group strategy as well as serving the general secretariat.

By Neil Dowling