Jaguar Australia Appoints New General Manager

NORTH RYDE, Australia – Nivember 26, 2008: Earlier today David Blackhall, Managing Director, Jaguar Land Rover Australia and New Zealand announced the appointment of Christopher Lidis as General Manager Jaguar Australia replacing Dorian Lapthorne who transferred to the Jaguar Brand Manager's role in China last September.

In announcing the appointment Blackhall commented that Lidis represented the ideal combination of deep industry experience and maturity overlaid with the important leadership skills needed to guide the brand to the 'niche premium' positioning it is targeting over the next few years.

"Chris ticked every box for us - outstanding academic qualifications, high quality Ford experience and training here and abroad, strong dealer expertise, broadening experience in the credit company and most of all a proven track record in nurturing, mentoring and managing young teams", Blackhall said.

"I said at the time of Dorian's departure that this was a highly significant call for us - and while it took some time for us to get it done, it has been well worth exercising our patience to make sure we got the right fit", he continued.

Lidis commented, "I am absolutely delighted to join the team at North Ryde. It is doubly pleasing to be doing so right after the Tata acquisition with the attendant energy and focus that has brought to the global operations of this iconic brand. I am looking forward to meeting the dealer network and charting the course for strong progress as the new Jaguar product continues to arrive and deliver on the "Beautiful Fast Cars' brand promise".

Chris Lidis joined Ford Australia as a graduate trainee and completed assignments with Ford in sales, marketing, purchasing, field operations and Ford Credit here and at Ford's joint venture in Taiwan. He was recently Ford's Regional Manager, Eastern Region and also ran the Ford Business Centre at Broadmeadows Head Office. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Economics and Politics from Monash University and an MBA from Macquarie.