Audi sales chief steps back to be replaced by Porsche Europe boss By Reuters

BERLIN (Reuters) – Audi sales chief Hildegard Wortmann has chosen to step down from her role and will be replaced by Marco Schubert, head of Europe at Porsche AG, Audi said on Friday. Wortmann moved to Audi from a decades-long career at BMW (ETR: ) in July 2019 to lead the brand’s sales and marketing.

The first woman on the board of Audi, she was also a member of the board of Volkswagen (ETR:) and responsible for sales on the extended executive committee.

She oversaw record sales of 1.9 million cars for the brand in 2023 after years of struggling to regain momentum after the pandemic, with sales hovering around the same level since 2020. However, challenges abounded this year, from supply chain issues to an industry-wide collapse in electric vehicle demand.

Audi has promised a refresh in 2024 and 2025, with more than 20 new electric and combustion engine models, followed by electric-only models from 2026. Schubert, at Porsche from 2021, previously worked at Audi as head of their business of China, reporting to Wortmann for part of that time. He also had leading roles in Sweden and northern Europe.

He will take over from September 1.