Audi dealers look unlikely to greet a new UK director of the brand ahead of their preparations for the 12-plate campaign next March.

The process of appointing a replacement for Jeremy Hicks is still on-going, said Audi UK’s head of PR Jon Zammett.

However, he declined to comment on whether an announcement will come before the end of the year. Zammett said filling such an important role cannot be rushed.

Hicks was put on gardening leave in August ahead of joining Jaguar Land Rover at the start of November as managing director of its UK sales operation.

The search for his successor has also been impacted by the change of managing director at its parent Volkswagen Group UK, which has seen former Nissan Europe executive Simon Thomas take over from Robin Woolcock.

The new Audi UK director must be approved by both Thomas and Audi AG executives in Germany.