Markus Duesmann Leaving BMW To Become Audi’s New CEO

Audi is set to get a new chief executive in the form of Markus Duesmann, BMW‘s engine development and purchasing expert.

According to German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Duesmann will leave his role at BMW to become Audi’s new chief on April 1, 2020. BMW’s board will discuss Duesmann’s planned departure soon, Reuters added.

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

It is reported that VW has been on the lookout for someone with expertise with clean engines as it continues to recover from the dieselgate scandal. Audi’s former chief executive and VW board member Rupert Stadler was forced to step down temporarily in June 2018 after being arrested during investigations into the diesel emissions scandal and the brand’s former sales chief was announced as the carmaker’s new chief executive on an interim basis.

Interestingly, Duesmann has been targeted by Volkswagen for some time and, in July last year, it was reported that he had been poached from BMW. Apparently, though, the process of hiring him has been significantly delayed. Various media outlets report that Duesmann’s current BMW contract doesn’t end until September 30, 2019, so he still remains employed by the Bavarian automaker. In addition, his contract likely has a non-compete clause, hence the delay in assuming his new position.