Audi Hires Volvo’s R&D Chief

Volkswagen AG’s Audi unit has hired Peter Mertens, formerly senior vice president of research and development at Volvo Car Corp., as head of technical development, effective immediately.

Mertens follows Ulrich Hackenberg, who was suspended in January, and his successor Stefan Knirsch, who left in September. Both were tainted by their alleged involvement in VW Group’s diesel emission cheating scandal and left the company.

Mertens, a German, has headed r&d at Volvo Cars since March 2011. He began his career at Daimler’s Mercedes-Benz unit. He moved to General Motors Co.’s Adam Opel operations and by 2005 was head of GM’s compact car programs worldwide.

In 2010 Mertens joined the Jaguar Land Rover board with responsibility for corporate quality for JLR parent Tata Motors Group.

One of the executives who will report to Mertens is Thomas Mueller, his former boss at Volvo. Mueller joined Audi last December to head the company’s electronics and electrical team.