Audi reshuffles management in wake of Dieselgate scandal

Audi has conducted a major management shake-up, replacing four of the seven members of its board of management.

The moves come as the company, part of the Volkswagen Group, continues to deal with the fallout from the Dieselgate scandal. The substantial shuffle does not include chief executive officer Rupert Stadler, whose contract was extended by five years recently. Reports by Reuters suggest that Stadler has the backing of the VW Group’s bosses.

While a release released by Audi gave no explanation for the shake-up, a quote by Matthias Muller, Volkswagen chief executive and chairman of Audi’s supervisory board, alluded to the Dieselgate scandal. “Audi has recently passed through a difficult phase, but has all the prerequisites to be successful also in the mobility world of tomorrow,” said Muller.

Finance boss Alex Strotbek, production head Hubert Waltl, human resources chief Thomas Sigi and sales boss Dietmat Voggenreiter will all be replaced.

Alexander Seitz, currently a vice-president of Chinese joint venture SAIC Volkswagen, will head up Audi’s finance and IT. Bram Schot will move from a role in the VW Group’s Group Sales division to serve as marketing and sales chief.

Wendelin Gobel has been named the new human resources boss, moving over from a role as the head of the board of management’s office of the VW Group. Audi Hungary boss Peter Kossler will now head up production and logistics.

Stadler said: "Our shared goal with the new board of management team and a strong workforce is now to set the course for the future and to systematically move forward with our transformation towards e-mobility, digitization and mobility services. Our growth plan and Strategy 2025 provide the roadmap.”