An Audi logo is pictured during the Volkswagen Group's annual general meeting in Berlin, Germany, May 3, 2018. REUTERS/Axel Schmidt

MUNICH (Reuters) - German carmaker Audi NSUG.DE named Hans-Joachim Rothenpieler on Friday as its new director for technical development.Rothenpieler replaces Peter Mertens, who asked the company's supervisory board to release him from his duties on health grounds.