A altering of the guard has been introduced in Audi’s high workplace, and it comes simply days after the top 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 now not have a seat on Volkswagen AG’s Group Board of Administration.

Reuters experiences 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 pinnacle of the Volkswagen Group has spoken publicly about Audi’s difficulties of late.

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

Audi presently has solely the This autumn e-tron, e-tron (quickly to be Q8 e-tron) and e-tron GT, whereas BMW and Mercedes-Benz every have at the least twice as many EVs.

“We didn’t defend the [brand’s] progressive management in its place towards 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 presently extremely depending on China and the battery electrical car lineup particularly just isn’t aggressive as 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 varied 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 top 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, before everything, 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 time limit, Gernot Döllner is the appropriate particular person to additional strengthen the corporate’s product technique and its place in key markets.

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