AUBURN HILLS, MI – Mark Del Rosso, an automotive sales executive and marketing specialist, will assume the duties of chief operating officer for Audi of America, Inc. beginning immediately, according to the company. The position has been vacant since the departure of Tom Del Franco in June 2007. Del Rosso will report to Audi Executive Vice President, Johan de Nysschen.

Del Rosso, 43, leaves Toyota where he was general manager of the company’s Portland, Ore., region.

“Mark Del Rosso is the ideal candidate to lead Audi’s field team,” said de Nysschen. “Mark brings a wealth of knowledge in dealing directly with dealers and customers. And, he has the business savvy gained from more than 15 years of field and corporate experience.”

Del Rosso, a graduate of the University of Southern California, joined Toyota in 1991 and was regularly promoted to various marketing and field positions in both the Toyota and Lexus divisions.

In his role at Audi, Del Rosso will direct sales operations, vehicle distribution, market strategy and planning, corporate sales, and Certified pre-owned (CPO) operations.

He currently resides in the Portland area with his family. Del Rosso will assume his duties in Auburn Hills pending the move of Audi’s headquarters to Herndon, Va., later this year.