Sergio Cravero has been appointed chief executive of Alfa Romeo, replacing Luca de Meo who is reportedly joining Volkswagen.

Since 2005 Cravero had been Alfa's head of marketing. Harald Webster, chief executive of Maserati, takes over responsibility for the Abarth brand. 

De Meo stepped down on Monday as chief executive of Alfa Romeo and Abarth and chief marking officer at Fiat, and is set to become head of marketing at VW according to sources of the Financial Times.

It is unclear whether 41-year-old de Meo would become head of marketing for the whole group or just the VW brand.

Volkswagen said they did not comment on personnel changes.