FRANKFURT --The head of Robert Bosch's automotive division, Wolf-Henning Scheider, has quit the world's top-ranked supplier to join smaller German rival Mahle, a maker of engine components.

Scheider, 52, who joined Bosch in 1987, was given overall responsibility for Bosch's automotive group in July 2013, coordinating leadership with veteran Bosch executives Rolf Bulander and Dirk Hoheisel.

Bulander, 56, will assume full responsibility for all automotive activities grouped under the newly named mobility solutions business sector, Bosch said.

Operationally, Bulander will be responsible for the supplier's diesel systems, gasoline systems, and starter motors and generators divisions, a Bosch statement said. Bulander will also have responsibility for quality and will be responsible for the electrical drives division, Bosch said in a statement. Bulander joined Bosch in 1988 as a management trainee.

Hoheisel, 56, will head the supplier's automotive steering business. The 24-year company veteran will also keep responsibility for the chassis systems control, car multimedia, and automotive electronics divisions.

Scheider’s responsibilities for sales and marketing will go to Markus Heyn, who joined Bosch in 1999. Heyn was most recently president of the company's diesel systems unit. Heyn will also be responsible for the automotive aftermarket division and the ETAS and Bosch Engineering subsidiaries.

Bosch, a privately owned company controlled by a trust, is known for its long-term strategy and preference for continuity in management. Volkmar Denner, 58, became only the seventh CEO since the company was founded in 1886 when he took over the reins two years ago.