Audi names Jeff Zhang President of Audi China; Rouven Mohr takes interim lead of Audi Sport
Audi is reshuffling its China leadership and its performance-car unit from November 1, 2026, with Jeff Zhang taking over Audi China and board member Rouven Mohr stepping into Audi Sport on an interim basis.
- November 1, 2026
- More than 20 years
- September 2022
- March 2026
What Happened
Audi is strengthening its leadership in the strategically important Chinese market while also changing the management of Audi Sport GmbH, effective November 1, 2026. Jeff Zhang becomes President of Audi China, succeeding Johannes Roscheck, while Rolf Michl moves from Managing Director of Audi Sport GmbH to Chief Operating Officer of Audi China. The two will jointly form the Board of Management of Audi China, which Audi says will be streamlined as part of the realignment. Rouven Mohr, the AUDI AG Board of Management member responsible for Technical Development, takes interim leadership of Audi Sport in addition to his existing role.
- Jeff Zhang, succeeding Johannes Roscheck
- Rolf Michl, moving over from Audi Sport GmbH
- Rouven Mohr, interim, alongside his Technical Development board role
- More than 20 years of international management experience.
- Most recently Vice President and CEO of the Chery brand at Chery International.
- Previously responsible for Chery's European operations and Managing Director of Alfa Romeo and DS Automobiles in China at Stellantis.
- From 2018 to 2020 held senior leadership positions at Audi in China, helping establish the SAIC Audi sales organization and contributing to strategic projects involving FAW Audi.
- Also held leadership positions at Nissan in Japan and North America.
Rolf Michl has been Managing Director of Audi Sport GmbH since September 2022, overseeing the business of Audi's high-performance RS models, the vehicle individualization program 'Audi exclusive' and all other business areas of the company. He holds a degree in business administration and began his career at Audi in 2007 in product marketing, then held leadership positions in Product Management, Sales and Marketing before taking over as Head of Audi Sport Racing in 2022. Rouven Mohr began his career at AUDI AG in Ingolstadt in 2008 and held various leadership positions in vehicle development, including responsibility for the Audi R8 and several SUV and performance models. In 2017 he moved to Lamborghini, where he first headed overall vehicle validation before becoming Chief Technical Officer in 2022, and he has been AUDI AG's Board of Management member for Technical Development since March 2026.
Johannes Roscheck, the current President of Audi China, hands over his responsibilities effective November 1, 2026 and will return to Ingolstadt in early 2027. CEO Gernot Döllner credited him with leading Audi in China through a period of profound transformation and with playing a pivotal role in advancing the dual-brand strategy, strengthening collaboration with Chinese joint venture partners and shaping Audi's strategic realignment in China. Döllner also thanked Rolf Michl for his successful leadership of Audi Sport and wished Zhang, Michl and Mohr every success in their new roles.
“China is one of Audi's most important markets. With Jeff Zhang and Rolf Michl, we are strengthening our leadership team on the ground, combining international experience with a deep understanding of the Chinese market and the Audi brand. Our goal is to execute our strategy consistently, respond even faster to our customers' needs and sustainably strengthen our competitiveness. At the same time, Rouven Mohr will ensure continuity at Audi Sport, drawing on his extensive experience in developing high-performance vehicles.”
Rolf Michl becomes Managing Director of Audi Sport GmbH.
Rouven Mohr takes his position as AUDI AG Board of Management member responsible for Technical Development.
Jeff Zhang becomes President of Audi China, Rolf Michl becomes COO, the two jointly form the Audi China Board of Management, and Rouven Mohr takes interim leadership of Audi Sport GmbH.
Johannes Roscheck returns to Ingolstadt after handing over his responsibilities.
Why this matters
China is, in Audi's own words, one of its most important markets, and the new China board pairs Zhang's knowledge of the Chinese market with Michl's experience inside the Audi brand. The changes affect Audi's Chinese customers, its Chinese joint venture partners and the high-performance RS business that Audi Sport GmbH runs. Johannes Roscheck, who led Audi in China through a period of profound change, returns to Ingolstadt in early 2027.
Terms in This Story
- Chief Operating Officer (COO)
- A senior executive responsible for a company's day-to-day operations.
- Board of Management
- The top executive body of a German stock corporation, responsible for running the business.
- GmbH
- A German legal form for a limited liability company, used in the names of many German subsidiaries.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.