Volvo's Loss Is Audi's Gain After Automaker Poaches Itself a New Development Chief
Audi was in the market for a new technical development chief after losing the last two to Volkswagen’s emissions-cheating scandal. This time around it wisely decided to shop outside of the company store, poaching top Volvo R&D chief Peter Mertens.
The automaker has high hopes for its growing crop of Swedish-sourced talent.
“Peter Mertens had the best combination of qualities and experience,” an Audi spokesman told Automotive News Europe.
Prior to his four years as Volvo’s senior vice president of R&D, Mertens served as head of corporate quality for Jaguar Land Rover and worked as a vehicle line executive for General Motors. He has a background in production technology and a doctorate in engineering from the University of Kaiserslautern.
In a statement, Audi CEO Rupert Stadler said, “Mertens has exceptionally broad technical expertise and an international background in the automotive industry. These are ideal qualifications for him to make further progress with the Technical Development division at Audi.”
Two of Mertens’ predecessors were removed from their positions due to potential involvement in Volkswagen Group’s violation of emissions testing regulations, making him look like a golden boy in comparison. Automotive News Europe named Mertens as one of its fourteen Eurostars this year, citing his important role in Volvo’s turnaround.
This is the German’s second big get from Volvo’s development team in the last few months. Thomas Mueller was lured away from the Swedish brand to become Audi’s head of electrics and electronics in August. Last year, Mueller’s work resulted in him being named one of the rising stars in the European automotive industry by Automotive News Europe.
Mertens and Mueller will be continuing their work together “at the earliest possible opportunity,” according to Audi.
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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I hope that Mertens is cashing in, and that Audi is paying through the nose for his services.