FILE PHOTO: The BMW booth displays the company logo at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan, U.S. January 16, 2018. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

FRANKFURT (Reuters) - BMW BMWG.DE on Friday denied a media report saying that Klaus Froehlich, board member responsible for research and development, was a potential candidate to succeed embattled Audi NSUG.DE Chief Executive Rupert Stadler.

German tabloid Bild reported on Friday that Stadler would leave in April because of his handling of the diesel emissions affair, adding Froehlich was a potential candidate to replace him.