Audi has a brand new boss, and electrical automotive delays may very well be why

A altering of the guard has been introduced in Audi’s prime workplace, and it comes simply days after the pinnacle of the Volkswagen Group mentioned the posh model is falling behind.

Gernot Döllner is taking up from Markus Duesmann as Chairman of the Board of Administration of Audi AG, efficient from September 1, 2023.

Duesmann is resigning, and can not have a seat on Volkswagen AG’s Group Board of Administration.

Reuters reviews phrase from a supply near Volkswagen that Duesmann was ousted, with managers on the highest degree at Audi reportedly dissatisfied with the model’s efficiency.

The top of the Volkswagen Group has spoken publicly about Audi’s difficulties of late.

Earlier this month, Group CEO Oliver Blume mentioned Audi had “large potential” however admitted it was “lagging the competitors”, notably with electrical autos (EVs).

Audi at the moment has solely the This fall e-tron, e-tron (quickly to be Q8 e-tron) and e-tron GT, whereas BMW and Mercedes-Benz every have a minimum of twice as many EVs.

“We didn’t defend the [brand’s] progressive management in its place in opposition to key opponents. We additionally confronted extreme software program issues that delayed the launch plan of thrilling electrical merchandise,” he mentioned in remarks reported by Automotive Information Europe.

“The footprint of the group is at the moment extremely depending on China and the battery electrical automobile lineup specifically just isn’t aggressive compared with this market.”

Blume flagged there have been “enormous alternatives” with its upcoming electrical autos, together with the Q6 e-tron due in 2024 and numerous upcoming RS-badged high-performance EVs.

New Audi boss Gernot Döllner joined the Volkswagen Group in 1993 and served in a lot of administration roles, together with as head of the Panamera line.

Since 2021, he has been the pinnacle of product technique for the Group.

“[Duesmann] has introduced nice foresight and imaginative and prescient to planning and driving ahead key strategic selections, together with, at first, the electrification technique. Audi will be capable of construct additional on these cornerstones sooner or later,” mentioned the Chairman of Audi’s Supervisory Board, Manfred Döss.

“At this cut-off date, Gernot Döllner is the proper individual to additional strengthen the corporate’s product technique and its place in key markets.

“Along with your complete Board of Administration, he’ll add the subsequent chapter to Audi’s profitable technique implementation.”