Bentley recruits Porsche executive to head engineering

Bentley Motors has named Porsche executive Rolf Frech as the brand's new board member for engineering.

Frech, 53, succeeds Ulrich Eichhorn, who will become managing director of the VDA, the German auto industry association.

Frech is currently Porsche's head of complete vehicle engineering and quality and will start his new job on November 1. Porsche executive Michael Steiner, 47, will fill Frech's role at the German sports car maker.

Frech played a key part in the expansion of Porsche's model range, including the Cayenne SUV and Panamera four-door sedan. He joined Porsche in 1983 and was promoted to head of complete vehicle engineering in 2001.

Eichhorn joined Bentley in 2003 as the brand's engineering chief. He moved from Volkswagen Group where is was director of research.

Panamera success

Steiner, Frech's successor at Porsche, "is largely responsible" for the success of the Panamera, Porsche said in a statement on Wednesday announcing hisappointment. He joined Porsche in 2002 as head of innovation and concepts before taking over responsibility for the Panamera in 2005.

Steiner will report ot Wolfgang Hatz, Porsche's r&d chief. Hatz said in the same statement that he is pleased that Frech's role will be filled by "a proven in-house product expert who has Porsche in his DNA."

Gernot Doellner, 42, will head the Panamera model line, moving from his current role as product strategy boss.

Stefan Weckbach, 35, moves to head product strategy from his current role as head of the board of management office.