Markus Duesmann to head Audi’s research and development division

Markus Duesmann, the head of Audi, is going to also head the research and development division at Volkswagen’s premium brand, two sources informed Reuters on Thursday.

Hans-Joachim Rothenpieler, Audi’s current head of development, will retire.

Markus Duesmann was born on June 23, 1969 in Heek, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. In 1991, he finished his studies of mechanical engineering at Steinfurt University of Applied Sciences with a degree in engineering.

He started his career in 1992 as a design engineer for a V12 series-production engine at Mercedes-Benz in Stuttgart. In 1995, he shifted to the development service provider FEV GmbH located in Aachen, Germany, where he held different positions, the last of which was head of the engine mechanics division.

In 2004, he took over the position of major department manager for new diesel engines at DaimlerChrysler AG in Stuttgart, and in 2005 became head of Formula 1 development at Mercedes-Benz in Brixworth, United Kingdom.

In 2007, Markus Duesmann moved to BMW AG as head of formula 1 powertrain. After holding some responsible positions at that company, he was the Board of Management Member for Purchasing and Supplier Network at BMW AG from October 2016 to July 2018.

The Supervisory Board of Volkswagen AG appointed Markus Duesmann as Chairman of the Board of Management at AUDI AG in 2020, along with that he also has Board of Management responsibility for Group Research and Development.