Volkswagen (Audi) Hires BMW Engine Development Expert Markus Duesmannew

“Mr. Duesmann, currently Board of Management Member for Purchasing and Supplier Network at BMW AG, will take up his new position as soon as he is able to do so,” Volkswagen said in a statement.

German newspaper Handelsblatt reported that Volkswagen wanted Duesmann to fill the post of Audi chief executive following the arrest of former boss Rupert Stadler.

Duesmann cannot take over as Audi CEO full time until Stadler permanently steps down as head of the Audi brand. Stadler has been temporarily replaced while he remains in custody on suspicion of interfering with a probe into the carmaker’s excessive emissions.

Duesmann will become Audi CEO on Jan. 1, according to sources at Automobilwoche, a sibling publication of Automotive News.