GM Strengthens U.S. Sales Team Ahead of Product Barrage

DETROIT – In preparation for numerous product launches in the coming months, General Motors North America President Mark Reuss today announced the following changes for U.S. sales executives:

Alan Batey, 49, is appointed to the newly created position of GM vice president, U.S. Sales and Service.  He will report to Reuss.

Don Johnson, 55, currently U.S. vice president, Sales Operations is named U.S. vice president, Chevrolet Sales and Service, replacing Batey.   

Kurt McNeil, 48, replaces Johnson as U.S. vice president, Sales Operations.  He had been U.S. vice president, Cadillac Sales and Service, since 2010.

Chase Hawkins, 43, regional director, Cadillac Sales and Service Northeast Region is promoted to the position of U.S. vice president, Cadillac Sales and Service replacing McNeil.

Ed Peper, 50, currently general manager, Fleet and Commercial Operations, is named U.S. vice president, Fleet and Commercial Sales.

Johnson, McNeil, Hawkins and Peper will all report to Batey, as will Brian Sweeney, who remains U.S. vice president, Buick and GMC Sales and Service.  The moves are effective   June 1.

“GM is playing offense with an aggressive rollout of new cars, trucks and crossovers,” Reuss said.  “Strengthening our U.S. sales team will help take full advantage of these growth opportunities and continue delivering solid improvements in customer satisfaction, dealer profitability and resale value.”

By the end of 2012, GM will have all-new or freshened cars and crossovers in segments that represent 60 percent of the U.S. light vehicle market, and all four of GM’s brands in the United States are poised for growth.  By the end of 2013, 70 percent of GM’s North American portfolio will be new or freshened vehicles compared with 2011.

Chevrolet will have transformed its passenger car, crossover and truck line up with new vehicles like the Sonic, Spark and Impala.  Buick, with the Verano and Encore, and Cadillac with the XTS and ATS, are entering segments where they don’t compete today.  And GMC will have one of the newest vehicle portfolios in the industry.

Batey began his career with General Motors in 1979 as a mechanical engineering apprentice for Vauxhall in the United Kingdom.  He has held senior management positions in the U.K., Korea, Germany, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Australia and the United Arab Emirates.  Prior to joining Chevrolet in 2010, Batey served as Chairman and Managing Director, GM Holden Ltd. Operations in Australia and New Zealand.

“As aggressively as we’re investing in new products, our dealers are likewise investing heavily in remodeled and new facilities,” said Batey.  “We’re confident that this combination will make our customers’ dealership experience the best in the industry.”

General Motors Co. and its partners produce vehicles in 30 countries, and the company has leadership positions in the world's largest and fastest-growing automotive markets.  GM’s brands include Chevrolet and Cadillac, as well as Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Isuzu, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety, security and information services, can be found at http://www.gm.com.