IRVINE, Calif. -

Mazda North American Operations announced last week it has gone in-house to find a senior vice president for the U.S. operations group, a newly created entity within MNAO focused on the U.S. market.

Robert Davis, MNAO’s former senior vice president of research and development, customer service operations and quality, was chosen for the newly created position designed to oversee all of the automaker’s U.S. dealer-related activities. He will report to Jim O’Sullivan, president and chief executive officer of MNAO.

"During his 20-plus years at Mazda, Robert has held key management positions in virtually every department and division in the company, giving him the experience and expertise needed to lead our U.S. expansion,” said O’Sullivan in a statement.

Moreover, the automaker revealed its U.S. vehicle logistics, remarketing, fleet, incentives and sales planning have also been reorganized under a new position. Toru Nakajima, the current general manager of global product marketing for MNAO’s parent Mazda Motor Corp., will assume the title of vice president/chief of staff U.S. operations and will report to Davis.

In the new position, Davis will manage all U.S. marketing, sales operations and training, owner loyalty, dealer development, public relations and customer service and parts, as well as dealer affairs.

"In order to fully realize Mazda’s U.S. growth potential in the next few years, we significantly reshaped our organization to focus even more effort and resources on our business here in the States," said O’Sullivan.

Davis, set to fill the role of senior vice president of U.S. operations starting May 1, has a history of positions at MNAO under his belt, including stints as senior vice president, marketing and product development; vice president, product strategy and development; and regional general manager of MNAO’s Midwest Region.