Gernot Döllner, the 54-year-old VW veteran, has been named Audi’s new CEO. He will take over from Markus Duesmann as Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG, effective September 1. 

Gernot Döllner has been named the new CEO after Markus Duesmann announced his plan to resign from Group management. Markus Duesmann serving as Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG since April 2020.

The outgoing CEO is credited for driving forward key strategic decisions, including, the electrification strategy. Also, he is known for steering Audi and its workforce through difficult times, characterised by the impact of both the Covid pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine on supply chains and markets.

Peter Mosch, Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory Board and Chairman of the General Works Council of AUDI AG thanked Markus Duesmann for his dedication and support and wish him all the best in future endeavors. 

Gernot Döllner’s appointment aims to further strengthen the company’s product strategy and position in key markets. He will add the next chapter to Audi’s successful strategy implementation with the entire Board of Management,” said Manfred Döss, Chairman of Audi’s Supervisory Board.

Before being named as Audi CEO, Gernot Döllner has been overseeing the Volkswagen Group’s Product and Group Strategy and the General Secretariat since 2021.

“I look forward to shaping the company’s future together with the entire team at Audi,” said Gernot Döllner. 

 With a degree in mechanical engineering, Gernot Döllner joined Volkswagen as a Ph.D. candidate in 1993 and subsequently served in a number of management roles at Porsche AG, including as head of Concept Development and head of the Panamera Series.