DETROIT -

As General Motors noted these promotions come in preparation for  “numerous product lauches” in the coming months, the OEM revealed some shifts within its upper management.

First up, Alan Batey has been appointed to the newly created position of GM vice president, U.S. Sales and Service, in which he will report to Mark Reuss, president of GM North America.

Highlighting his background with the company, Batey began his career with GM 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, officials noted.

And prior to joining Chevrolet in 2010, Batey served as chairman and managing director, GM Holden Ltd. Operations in Australia and New Zealand.

Replacing Batey in the position of U.S. vice president, Chevrolet sales and service, is Don Johnson, cureently U.S. vice president, sales operations.

Kurt McNeil will replace Johnson as U.S. vice president, sales operations.  He had been U.S. vice president, Cadillac sales and service, since 2010, officials noted.

Moving along, Chase Hawkins, regional director, Cadillac sales and service Northeast region is promoted to the position of U.S. vice president, Cadillac sales and service, replacing McNeil.

And lastly, Ed Peper, 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.

The moves are effective  June 1.

Commenting on the changes, Reuss noted ,“GM is playing offense with an aggressive rollout of new cars, trucks and crossovers.

“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.”

Product Launches

And the OEM also went on to highlight the product launches that spurred the recent promotions.

“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,” officials explained.

And by the end of 2013, 70 percent of GM’s North American portfolio will be new or freshened vehicles compared with 2011, they continued.

For Chevrolet, the Sonic, Spark and Impala will be all new. Buick will be refreshing the Verano and Encore. And Cadillac with the XTS and ATS, is "entering segments where they don’t compete today," along with the OEMs other brands, officials continued.

“And GMC will have one of the newest vehicle portfolios in the industry,” the company asserted.

“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,” he concluded.