Mr Mannering is currently the executive director of Audi Korea, a post he has held since 2019.

Prior to that, he was managing director of Audi Middle East, then Audi Singapore. Earlier in his career, Mr Mannering held senior aftersales roles at Audi Australia.

Mr Mannering said he was “excited to return home to lead the extraordinary team at Audi Australia”.

“As part of its Vorsprung 2030 strategy, Audi is boldly shaping the future of personal, premium mobility around the world, and it’s a mission that I hold very closely.

“I look forward to sharing in our owners’ enthusiasm for the Audi brand in Australia, and taking them along with us on this exciting journey.”

He replaces Paul Sansom who on January 1 this year was promoted to group managing director of Volkswagen Group Australia, following its merger with Audi Australia.

Prior to that, Mr Sansom had been the managing director of Audi Australia since 2017, following three years as managing director of Audi South Africa.

Mr Sansom said: “I am delighted to hand over the reins of Audi Australia to an executive of Jeff’s calibre.”

“I look forward to seeing Audi continue on its innovative path, as the technological spearhead of Volkswagen Group Australia, to deliver our customers the very best of premium mobility into the future.

“It has been an honour to lead this incredible brand in Australia and I have the fondest memories of all that we have achieved together.”

Audi AG vice president of sales for the overseas region, Andre Konsbruck, said Mr Mannering had “proved his expertise in successfully steering the Audi brand in several markets around the world”.

“I am convinced that Jeff‘s broad experience will be of great benefit to Audi Australia, and of course to our many customers Down Under.”

By Neil Dowling