Former Nissan executive takes key post as automaker aims for No. 1 spot
Former Nissan executive takes key post as automaker aims for No. 1 spot
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David JolleyAutomotive News
July 16, 2013 - 12:01 am ET -- UPDATED: 7/16/13 12:34 pm ET - adds details
FRANKFURT -- Volkswagen Group named its U.K. chief, Simon Thomas, head of global marketing for the group and for the company's core VW brand.
Thomas will play an important role in helping VW Group meet its Strategy 2018 goals, a spokesman said.
As part of the strategy, VW aims to surpass Toyota Motor Corp. and General Motors Co. to become the world's top-selling automaker.
Thomas, 53, joined VW in 2011 from Nissan where he was European head of sales and marketing.
He succeeds Juergen Stackmann, 51, who was appointed CEO of VW's Spanish unit Seat in May.
Thomas will coordinate marketing activities with the marketing bosses of VW Group's individual brands, the spokesman said. VW's brands include VW, Skoda and Seat, as well as Audi, Porsche, Bentley and Lamborghini.
Thomas will report to Christian Klingler, VW Group board member for sales and marketing, and takes up the new role on Sept. 1.
Thomas, a British national, was appointed Nissan Europe's senior vice president of sales and marketing in 2009 during a period of revival for the automaker in the region.
He began his automotive career as an apprentice technician in 1976 at a Ford dealership, later joining the Austin Rover Group, then Nissan UK.
 | Thomas moves to global role at VW. |
VW Group's six-month global sales increased by 5.5 percent year-on-year to a record 4.7 million units as strong demand in China and the United States offset weak European sales.
Audi's U.S. sales have increased 14 percent this year to 74,277 units but volume at the VW brand has slipped 1 percent to 206,792 units through June in a market that has advanced 8 percent.
VW officials have blamed increased competition in the U.S. compact and mid-sized car markets for the company's sluggish sales performance, as well as the robust pickup truck sector, where VW does not participate.
The automaker aims to boost annual group vehicle sales to 10 million by 2018, up from 9.07 million last year.
You can reach David Jolley at djolley@crain.com.
Source: http://www.autonews.com/article/20130716/COPY01/307169975/vw-names-new-global-marketing-boss
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