Fabrizio Longo, Audi’s managing director for Italy and a decades-long veteran of the Volkswagen Group, has died after a fall on Sept. 1 during a mountain climbing trip in the Adamello mountains of the Italian Alps. He was 62.
The car director and experienced mountaineer wanted to climb the high-altitude peak of Cima Payer in the Adamello Mountains, but while climbing he slipped and fell from a height of about 10,000 feet, according to a translated statement of the Italian Winter Sports FederationHis fall was witnessed by another climber and called immediatelyA team from the Pinzolo Alpine Rescue station tried to rescue Longo with a helicopter, but “when the medical team landed on the scene in a helicopter, the doctor could do nothing but certify death,” according to the Italian Winter Sports FederationHis body was transferred to the Italian town of Carisolo.
“He had a great passion for the mountains and under his leadership Audi Italia linked its image to that of the Italian Winter Sports Federation,” the organization said about Longo.
From 1987, Longo worked at Fiat and then moved to Lancia, before joining Audi in 2013. At the time of his death, Longo had worked continuously for the Volkswagen Group for 11 years and was highly respected in his country-specific role.
“Fabrizio Longo has led the Audi brand in Italy with great success since 2013, confirming the brand’s leadership position in the premium segment for the 11th year in a row,” Audi Italia said in a statement to Reuters And Newsweek. “He was an enlightened leader, a person of great integrity, culture, competence and sensitivity. He was a source of unwavering support. His strong values and genuine care for everyone created a workplace full of warmth and respect. His infectious enthusiasm and positive energy touched and inspired Audi Italia and its stakeholders every day.”
Fellow executives from the auto industry and the mountaineering community took to social media to pay their respects.
“We will miss you Fabrizio. See you soon, my friend,” Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann said on LinkedIn.
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