Alejandro César Yunes Zubirán is an internationally recognised General Counsel and Legal Director whose distinguished career is defined by strategic legal leadership within the global automotive sector. With over 18 years of experience, he has developed profound expertise in steering multi-billion-euro greenfield projects and navigating complex cross-border operations. Alejandro has been instrumental in the strategic expansion of Audi AG in two of its most critical growth markets, Mexico and China, demonstrating a unique ability to align comprehensive legal strategy with core business objectives. His practice consistently transforms the legal function from a traditional advisory body into a dynamic, value-creating partner that drives commercial success and mitigates enterprise risk.

Currently serving as Director of Legal Services and Intellectual Property for Audi China in Beijing, Alejandro stands at the forefront of the industry’s pivotal transition to new energy vehicles (NEVs). He acts as the key legal architect and core strategic advisor to the Board of Management on the company’s landmark multi-billion-euro NEV plant in Changchun – a cornerstone of Audi’s global strategy. His wide-ranging remit encompasses the full spectrum of market entry, from leading high-stakes negotiations with joint venture partners FAW and SAIC to engaging with all levels of Chinese government to secure critical operational approvals. He personally directed the corporate establishment, site selection, and complex international merger control filing for the new entity. Furthermore, he oversees the vital protection of intellectual property for groundbreaking EV technologies and provides robust legal support for R&D, data protection, and the entire sales and marketing ecosystem, while managing a high-performing team.

Prior to his role in China, he built the entire legal function for Audi México from the ground up—a monumental greenfield project. In this capacity, he established the complete legal, compliance, and governance infrastructure and led a team of 15 professionals. Alejandro personally negotiated and executed contracts with global suppliers totalling over €3 billion, achieving significant savings against projected costs through rigorous negotiation and strategic sourcing. Demonstrating remarkable commercial acumen beyond traditional legal counsel, he transformed the Insurance Department from a cost centre into a profitable business unit. His leadership in compliance earned the company benchmark status following a flawless external Monitor Audit, resulting in successful certification with zero major findings and zero recommendations for Audi México.

Alejandro is lauded by executives and peers for his results-driven and forward-looking approach. He consistently delivers operational excellence, implementing process improvements that yield recurring yearly budget savings. His career, recognised by awards such as the ALB Top 15 Internal Legal Departments in China and his nomination as one of the Top 30 General Counsel in China, is a testament to an unwavering commitment to excellence, integrity, and delivering tangible business impact on a global scale. He embodies the modern General Counsel: a strategic business partner who leverages deep legal expertise to build, protect, and create value for multinational corporations.