Fabrizio Longo, Audis Italy-Boss, died at the age of 62 during a mountain hike in the northeastern Italian region of Trentino. The long-time one AudiManager, who was considered an experienced mountaineer, fell around 200 meters on Sunday at an altitude of more than 3,000 meters.
Car manufacturer Audi was dismayed and praised Longo’s work. A company spokesman described Longo as a person of “great integrity, culture, ability and sensitivity.” Fabrizio Longo has led the Audi brand in Italy with great success since 2013 and has confirmed the brand’s leadership in the premium segment for eleven consecutive years, the group said in a statement.
Before joining Audi, Longo held positions at Fiat and Lancia. Several colleagues from the automotive industry paid their respects to Longo, including Lamborghini boss Stephan Winkelmann (59), who wrote on LinkedIn: “We will miss you, Fabrizio. Goodbye, my friend.”
Renault-CEO Luca de Meo (57), who works at both Fiat and Volkswagen said Longo was a man he was proud to call a friend and that he learned of his death with “infinite sadness.” “You left us while pursuing your great passion,” de Meo wrote on LinkedIn.