(Yicai) March 2 -- German luxury car giant Audi has followed peers BMW Group and Mercedes-Benz in shaking up its core management team in China this year.

Daniel Weissland will become general sales manager of Audi's China joint venture with state-owned carmaker FAW Group on April 1, while Matthias Schepers will step in as vice president of sales and marketing at the firm's country arm from June 1, the Ingolstadt-based carmaker announced on Feb. 26.

Weissland and Schepers have extensive experience in global regional market operations and multi-category product layout for luxury brands, with the former leading Audi to achieve its largest product layout in the brand's history in the United States, according to the company.

On Jan. 30, BMW said Christian Ach, who has long been responsible for operations in the European and Nordic markets and has participated in the regional promotion and channel optimization of electric vehicles, will step in as president and chief executive officer for China on April 1.

Daniel Lescow became president and CEO of Beijing Mercedes-Benz Sales Service yesterday, the carmaker had announced on Feb. 14. He has been part of the electrification transformation of the firm's Smart brand and setting up its global sales system, with experience in the operation of new energy vehicles and relevant channel development.

Mercedes-Benz noted it is optimizing the senior management team of the sales services unit to enhance the synergy of its EV business.

The executive shakeups occurred at a critical juncture when the Chinese luxury car market is undergoing profound structural changes, with the electric transition of the three carmakers entering a new stage with the implementation of platform products. Based on their professional background, the new executives will shoulder the heavy responsibility of launching EVs in China, optimizing channel operations, and advancing localization strategies.

Traditional luxury car giants have seen their China market share eroded by domestic NEVs, leading to prominent problems such as price inversion and high inventory at their dealerships. With the launch of many new models, this year will be crucial for German carmakers' transition in the country under the leadership of their new management.

BMW's Neue Klasse, Mercedes-Benz's MB.EA, Audi's Premium Platform Electric platforms, and the AUDI EV brand, co-developed with Chinese carmaker SAIC Motor, will hit the market on a large scale within this year. Launching products into the market, market promotion, and channel adaptation will be carried out intensively, so the new executives will fully participate in the advancement and implementation of the businesses.

Editor: Martin Kadiev