On Thursday, Audi announced its appointment of Gernot Döllner, a seasoned executive from Porsche, as the new CEO. Döllner, known for his background in mechanical engineering, will assume the position starting from September 1, succeeding Markus Duesmann, a former BMW executive who has been leading Audi since early 2020.
Döllner began his career at Volkswagen in 1993 before joining Porsche in 1998. During his time at Porsche, he oversaw vehicle concepts and packaging until 2010. He later served as the project manager for the 918 Spyder hypercar and the Panamera series until 2021 when he moved to the Volkswagen Group to head product and group strategy.
During an investor presentation this week, Volkswagen Group CEO Oliver Blume, who also serves as Porsche’s CEO, expressed concerns about Audi’s performance. Blume highlighted software issues that caused delays in launching key electric vehicles like the Q6 E-Tron, scheduled for release later this year. Additionally, he pointed out a decline in sales in the crucial Chinese market, where Audi experienced a 16% drop in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the same period last year.
Audi’s electric vehicles, in particular, have been struggling in China, with the company selling just over 3,000 EVs in the country during the first quarter. By contrast, Tesla is expected to achieve approximately 153,000 sales in China this quarter. Audi has not introduced any new EVs globally since the introduction of the Q4 E-Tron in 2021.
In a statement, Audi Chairman Manfred Döss expressed confidence in Döllner’s ability to strengthen the company’s product strategy and market position. Döss also acknowledged the contributions made by Duesmann, including significant strategic decisions such as the planned transition to a fully electric lineup after 2026.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about CEO appointment
Who is the new CEO of Audi and when will they start their role?
The new CEO of Audi is Gernot Döllner, a Porsche veteran. He will assume the role starting from September 1.
What is Gernot Döllner’s background and experience?
Gernot Döllner has a background in mechanical engineering and began his career at Volkswagen in 1993. He joined Porsche in 1998 and held various positions, including overseeing vehicle concepts and packaging. He also served as a project manager for the 918 Spyder hypercar and the Panamera series. In 2021, he moved to the Volkswagen Group to head product and group strategy.
What were the concerns raised about Audi’s performance?
During an investor presentation, Volkswagen Group CEO Oliver Blume expressed concerns about Audi’s performance. He highlighted software issues that caused delays in launching key electric vehicles, as well as declining sales in the Chinese market, where Audi experienced a 16% decrease in the first quarter of 2023.
How have Audi’s electric vehicles performed in China?
Audi’s electric vehicles have been performing poorly in China. In the first quarter of the year, the company sold just over 3,000 EVs in the country. In comparison, Tesla is expected to achieve approximately 153,000 sales in China in the current quarter.
When was the last global launch of a new Audi EV?
The last global launch of a new Audi electric vehicle was the Q4 E-Tron in 2021. Since then, Audi has not introduced any new EVs globally.
What is the planned strategic decision mentioned regarding Audi’s electric lineup?
Audi’s current CEO, Markus Duesmann, made a strategic decision for a planned switch to a full-electric lineup after 2026.
What is the role of Gernot Döllner as the new CEO of Audi?
As the new CEO of Audi, Gernot Döllner is tasked with strengthening the company’s product strategy and position in key markets, addressing challenges such as software issues, and improving performance in the Chinese market.
More about CEO appointment
- Audi Names Gernot Döllner as CEO
- Porsche Veteran Gernot Döllner Appointed Audi CEO
- Volkswagen Group CEO Critical of Audi’s Performance
- Audi’s Struggles with EV Sales in China
- Audi’s Plans for Transition to Full-Electric Lineup