Volkswagen Poaches BMW’s Purchasing Chief (Again)… But What For?

The Volkswagen Group is adding a new member to its management board. His name is Markus Duesmann, and he’s currently rival BMW’s head of purchasing (and its supplier network). But while VW didn’t say in what capacity he’s being hired, exactly, rumor has it that he’s being groomed to take over Audi.

The Four-Ringed automaker’s chief executive Rupert Stadler, as you may recall, has been sitting behind bars for over a month now, having been implicated in the diesel emissions scandal. Following his arrest, sales chief Bram Schott was named to fill the position on an interim basis. But it now appears that, even if released, Stadler won’t return to his post, Schott will be sent back to his previous job, and Duesmann will take the helm.

As Automotive News points out, Duesmann’s defection to the VW Group would be the second high-level executive to come from BMW‘s ranks, following Herbert Diess’ appointment as head of the Volkswagen brand. Diess was Duesmann’s predecessor as head of purchasing for BMW.

Markus Duesmann has been with the Bavarian automaker for over a decade now, having moved over in 2007 from Mercedes, where he headed up the Formula One powertrain division. His engineering background is said to give him the leg-up over Schott, who lacks those particular skills.

According to the statement released from Wolfsburg, Duesmann “will take up his new position as soon as he is able to do so,” and that “an agreement to this effect has already been signed.”