Who was Fabrizio Longo, Audi Italy boss who died after falling 10,000 feet from a mountain?

On Sunday, Audi executive Fabrizio Longo, who led the company¡¯s operations in Italy, passed away in a tragic incident, after falling from a mountain in northern Italy.

Longo, 62 years old, had been a well-known personality in the automotive industry, heading Audi Italy from 2013. The accident took place while he was scaling the Cima Payer in the Adamello mountain range.

Situated near the Italian-Swiss border, the Cima Payer summit is a destination that climbers flock to now and then. Longo, an experienced mountaineer, tumbled from a height of 10,000 feet.

His body was found in a gorge and was thereafter retrieved by a helicopter team. Authorities took the body to Carisolo, a nearby town, where he was officially declared dead.

Longo's legacy in the automotive industry and beyond

Fabrizio Lungo was born in Rimini, Italy in 1962 and built an impressive career in the automotive industry. After earning a degree in political science, he began working at Fiat in 1987, improving his marketing skills. In 2002 he was promoted to head of the Lancia brand. In 2012, Longo joined Audi and the following year he was appointed director of Italian operations, a role in which he greatly influenced the company's success.

¡°Fabrizio Longo has been leading the Audi brand in Italy with enormous success since 2013, confirming the brand¡¯s leadership in the premium segment for 11 consecutive years,¡± an Audi spokesperson told The Post.

¡°He was the source of unwavering support. His strong values and genuine care for each one created a workplace filled with warmth and respect. His infectious enthusiasm and positive energy touched and inspired Audi Italia and its stakeholders daily.¡±

Beyond his professional achievements, Longo was a passionate mountaineer and a dedicated environmentalist. He frequently advocated for the conservation of mountain regions, particularly the Adamello mountains, which he often climbed.

His commitment to protecting these natural lands from the effects of climate change was recognised by those who knew him.

Under his leadership, Audi Italia grew and maintained a dominant position in the premium car market for ten years. Longo¡¯s influence extended beyond his business acumen; he was deeply involved in efforts to protect the environment, especially in the mountain regions he cherished.

Flavio Roda, president of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS), with which Longo had closely collaborated, expressed deep sorrow over his passing, stating, ¡°We join the family in this moment of great pain, and with the staff of Audi Italia.¡±

Investigation into the fatal accident is ongoing

As of now, the exact details of how the fatal fall occurred are still unclear. Italian authorities have launched a probe to determine the circumstances leading up to the accident.

An autopsy will be performed, and the investigation will continue to uncover the cause of this tragic event. The Italian Prosecutor¡¯s Office is actively involved in the inquiry.

Fabrizio Longo, a 62-year-old Audi executive and passionate mountain climber, fell to his death from a height of 10,000 feet while ascending Cima Payer in the Adamello mountains, near the Italian-Swiss border. pic.twitter.com/Pefvovcs1t

¡ª Naresh Sagar (@NareshSaga52665) September 3, 2024

Following the completion of these formalities, Longo¡¯s family will announce the date of the funeral. The body is currently being examined at a hospital in Carisolo, with officials working to piece together the events that led to this devastating incident.

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