Abraham Schot has been appointed as Audi’s interim chief executive following the arrest of Rupert Stadler this week.

Schot steps in to the interim role after being on the board of management of Audi in charge of sales and marketing since September 2017.

Stadler was taken into custody following a request by the Munich public prosecutor’s office on June 18.

A statement from Audi said: "As previously reported, Audi CEO Rupert Stadler was taken into custody at the request of the Munich II Public Prosecutor’s Office on June 18.

"Stadler has requested that the Supervisory Board release him from his position in the Board of Management of AUDI AG and in the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG. The Supervisory Boards of Volkswagen and Audi have complied with Stadler’s request to release him from his duties. This release applies temporarily, until the circumstances that led to his arrest have been clarified."

Stadler is yet to be charged with a crime.