Mike Whittington Promoted To Managing Director, Mercedes-Benz Retail Group

MILTON KEYNES, UNITED KINGDOM – Oct 17, 2012: Mercedes-Benz in the UK has promoted Mike Whittington to the role of Managing Director, Mercedes-Benz Retail Group with effect from 1 January 2013. He is currently Sales Director, Mercedes-Benz Cars, and replaces Neil Williamson who moves to become Vice President Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars in South Africa.

Mike Whittington joined Mercedes-Benz in June 2007 after previously holding management positions in Toyota, Lexus and Peugeot. Having joined the brand as Director, Network Operations, Mike worked across the group’s brands to complete its network investment programmes and develop the business growth strategies.

In June 2010 Mike was appointed to his current role of Sales Director, where he has led the brand’s sales team to become the fastest-growing mainstream premium brand, which has a current 4.5 per cent share of the UK new car market.

Marcus Breitschwerdt, President and CEO Mercedes-Benz UK, said: “I am delighted to promote Mike to this position as head of Mercedes-Benz Retail Group, and to the Mercedes-Benz UK board. Mike has a wide breadth of experience gained over the years with different brands, as well as experience of our own dealer network. He has been a key figure in successfully driving our record-breaking UK sales growth over recent years.

“Our own Retail Group accounts for around 25 per cent of our business here in the UK, and I am certain Mike will continue to run our Retail operations successfully.”

Marcus continued: “Mike takes over from Neil Williamson, who is moving within the global Daimler family to head up the passenger cars business in South Africa. Over the past seven years, Neil has worked tirelessly to drive performance and standards within our own Retail Group, making significant improvements in process, capability and customer service as well as increasing sales.

“Mike and Neil’s appointments show that top talent is recognised and developed within the company, and I’d like to offer them both my personal congratulations.”

Mike Whittington commented: “I’m very excited to have the opportunity to lead the fantastic team at Mercedes-Benz Retail Group during a period of enormous change for Mercedes-Benz. We’ve got some great cars like the New A-Class in showrooms, and are pioneering new techniques to better serve our customers.

“My role as Sales Director has been very rewarding, and I’m committed to making an even bigger positive difference to my new role, from January 2013.”