Audi names Porsche's Marco Schubert as sales chief, replacing Hildegard Wortmann

Audi's global head of sales and marketing, Hildegard Wortmann, is leaving the automaker and will be succeeded by Porsche executive Marco Schubert.

Wortmann has led Audi's sales for the past five years after joining the Volkswagen Group premium brand from BMW, where she had a multi-decade career.

Wortmann is leaving Audi at her own wish and "by harmonious mutual agreement," the automaker said in a statement on Aug. 30.

"Hildegard Wortmann has significantly taken forward sales operations in times of crises. Marco Schubert brings the international experience we need right now," Audi Chairman Manfred Doess said in the statement.

Wortmann was first woman on Audi's management board and was also a member of Volkswagen Group's management board in charge of the group's global sales. She will also leave that role, Audi said.

She oversaw record sales of 1.9 million cars at the brand in 2023 but this year Audi's momentum has slowed because of supply chain problems and an industrywide decline in EV demand.

In the first half, Audi's global sales fell 8.2 percent to 832,957 vehicles as supply bottlenecks hit production, the company said July 25. Audi was forced to cut production shifts earlier this year after heavy rains caused flooding in southern Germany.

The automaker is also in the middle of renewing its product lineup, replacing core products such as the A4, Europe's No. 2-selling midsize premium car. The new A5 will replace the A4 under Audi's new naming structure.

Schubert, 50, has been in charge of Porsche's European sales since 2021.

He has more than 30 years experience in the automotive industry, including 20 years with Audi. He began his career with Mercedes-Benz and and previously worked at Audi as head of its China business.

Reuters contributed to this report