BMW’s Markus Duesmann to join Volkswagen

Volkswagen on Tuesday stated engine development expert Markus Duesmann, presently head of purchasing and suppliers at competitor BMW, is to join the automaker’s management board.

Duesmann is the second high-profile defection from BMW to Volkswagen group after the departure of Herbert Diess in July 2015 as head of the Volkswagen brand. Diess took over as chief executive of Volkswagen Group in April.

Volkswagen is still attempting to recover from a 2015 emissions scandal, whereas BMW’s vehicles have faced fewer regulatory concerns tied to excessive pollution when compared with competitor Mercedes, Volkswagen, Porsche and Audi.

“Mr. Duesmann, presently 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 stated.

BMW stated Duesmann had told its chairman that he would not make himself available for an extension of his agreement due to personal factors.

“As a result, the Chairman of the Supervisory Board and Mr. Duesmann agreed that Mr. Duesmann will be relieved of his contractual responsibilities as Management Board Member for Purchasing and Supplier Network with immediate effect,” BMW stated.