Jörg Menges will become chief executive of Audi FAW NEV Company Ltd. on April 1, 2026, succeeding Helmut Stettner at Audi’s first China-based facility dedicated exclusively to electric vehicle production in Changchun.
Menges brings more than three decades of experience in the automotive industry and currently serves as Head of Product Engineering at AUDI AG in Ingolstadt, a role he has held since 2022. He previously worked in China as Plant Manager at FAW-Volkswagen Automotive Co., Ltd. in Changchun, giving him direct operational experience in the local market where the joint venture operates.
The leadership transition comes as Audi advances its electrification strategy in China, with the Changchun facility positioned as a key production hub for battery-electric vehicles. The company launched the Q6L e-tron and Q6L Sportback e-tron in 2025, with the A6L e-tron planned as the next model in its pipeline.
Gerd Walker, board member for production and logistics at AUDI AG, said Menges’ experience would support the company’s next development phase. “Jörg Menges is an experienced manager, strong strategist, and proven production expert. Thanks to his previous role in China, he has a deep understanding of the market and is also well connected within the Group. He will lead the company into the next phase and consistently develop the production site as part of our electrification strategy for the Chinese market,” he said.
Stettner, who has led the joint venture since May 2021, oversaw the development of the Changchun production site and the launch of its first electric vehicle lineup. Following the transition, he will return to Ingolstadt.
Walker also acknowledged Stettner’s tenure at the company. “I would like to thank Helmut Stettner for his enthusiastic commitment to the company. He has been responsible for the development of the company and the production site in Changchun from the very first second and, most recently, successfully implemented the market launch of its first product portfolio with his team,” he said.