Stuttgart - Fiat chief marketing officer Luca de Meo is to join Germany's Volkswagen group, the trade publication auto motor und sport reported Tuesday, citing business sources in Italy.

The report said de Meo, 41, who is also chief executive of Alfa Romeo and the newly launched Abarth brand, was bowing out because of differences with Fiat boss Sergio Marchionne.

The report said De Meo had come under fire for not doing enough to increase Alfa Romeo's sales.

Neither Volkswagen nor Fiat would comment on the report. (dpa)