Geoffrey Bouquot is appointed into newly created position as Audi’s board member for Innovation and software-defined vehicle

Audi has appointed Geoffrey Bouquot as its new board member for Innovation and Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV). The position is a newly created one; part of the OEMs expanding digitisation push, one which is increasingly encompassing more of its automotive architecture.

The dedicated position for of SDV, and its positioning of Audi’s Board of Management falls under the OEMs centralising its ‘four rings’ of products, technologies, quality, and innovation. 

Manfred Döss, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of AUDI AG, said: “with the decision to create the new position at board level, we are strengthening the long-term technology and innovation strategy and focusing on the development of SDVs.

“We are sure that Geoffrey Bouquot will provide major impulses to successfully implement the Audi Agenda together with the entire Board of Management team.”

“Geoffrey Bouquot will make a decisive contribution for Audi with technological competence, ability to innovate, and leadership qualities” - Gernot Döllner, CEO, Audi 

Jörg Schlagbauer, Vice Chairman of the Supervisory Board and Chairman of the General Works Council of AUDI AG, added: “Geoffrey Bouquot’s appointment to the Audi Board of Management with a focus on software-defined vehicles and innovation also underlines the workforce’s aspiration for Vorsprung durch Technik. We look forward to a breath of fresh air – and to working together so the four rings shine more brightly again.”

The OEM has said that a key aspect of its agenda is “to accelerate the speed of development work by introducing a matrix organisation.” This structure is said to enhance model series management by promoting greater entrepreneurial responsibility and clearly defined competencies within the line organisations of Technical Development.

Audi says that the development expertise of the technical departments is then, consolidated into a well-defined system logic, and this shift supports a new paradigm of integrated vehicle development, with software as a leading element.

“I would like to initiate a positive upward trend together with the team at Audi and its ecosystem“ - Geoffrey Bouquot, Innovation and software-defined vehicle, Audi

Bouquot, as board member for Innovation and Software-Defined Vehicles, will lead the transformation to a much more software-centric organisation.

Audi CEO Gernot Döllner commented: “Vorsprung durch Technik is our ambition, and innovation is the key to our fitness for the future. We need a thorough structural realignment to achieve a faster pace of development and a clear focus on software.

“By appointing Geoffrey Bouquot, we are living up to this aim. Geoffrey possesses a wealth of experience in leading and transforming large development and software teams. I am sure he will make a decisive contribution for Audi thanks to his combination of technological competence, ability to innovate, and international leadership qualities.”

Bouquot said: “Audi for me represents precision and the future – engineering and digitalisation. I am looking forward to my new role.

“I would like to do my part in initiating a positive upward trend together with the team at Audi and its ecosystem. Greater efficiency and the further development of digitalisation are the paths that lead to this goal.”