One item on the minds of many VW dealers in the United States going into Friday’s board meeting of Volkswagen AG was whether or not the rumors that current U.S. VW chief executive officer Michael Horn would be leaving the company were true.
As it turns out, that’s not the case, as VW announced that the company will be restructuring in the U.S., with activities in the U.S., Mexico and Canada being consolidated as one new North American region with Winfried Vahland, formerly the chairman of the board of directors at Skoda, as the leader of the region. By taking on this role, Vahland becomes a member of the VW brand board of management.
At this time, Horn will remain as the president and chief executive officer of Volkswagen Group of America.
As for the global operations, Matthias Mueller, the chairman of Porsche AG, has been named the new CEO of Volkswagen AG, replacing former CEO Martin Winterkorn, who resigned Wednesday.
"My most urgent task is to win back trust for the Volkswagen Group – by leaving no stone unturned and with maximum transparency, as well as drawing the right conclusions from the current situation,” Mueller said. “Under my leadership, Volkswagen will do everything it can to develop and implement the most stringent compliance and governance standards in our industry. If we manage to achieve that then the Volkswagen Group with its innovative strength, its strong brands and above all its competent and highly motivated team has the opportunity to emerge from this crisis stronger than before."
In an announcement on Friday, VW also stated that its Supervisory Board recommended the immediate suspension of several of its employees during an investigation it has authorized its chairman to mandage for German and U.S. lawyers to "objectively investigate and fully clarify the manipulation of emissions data of diesel engines." The names and positions of the employees were not released.
"The test manipulations are a moral and political disaster for Volkswagen,” said Berthold Huber, the deputy chairman of the Supervisory Board. “The unlawful behavior of engineers and technicians involved in engine development shocked Volkswagen just as much as it shocked the public. We can only apologize and ask our customers, the public, the authorities and our investors to give us a chance to make amends."
The company also announced that Christian Klingler, formerly a member of the board of management of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft with responsibility for sales and marketing and a member of the VW brand board of management with the same responsibilities, is leaving the company with immediate effect due to “long-term planned structural changes and as a result of difference with regard to business strategy” unrelated to recent events.
Juergen Stackmann, previously chairman of SEAT, will take over Klingler’s role as member of the VW brand board of management. Stackmann is succeeded by Luca de Meo, currently Audi AG board of management member for sales and marketing. These personnel changes will be effective as of October 1.
For the full listing of VW’s structural changes, you can check them out on the VW site here.
The National Auto Auction Association inducts its new president at the NAAA Annual Convention this week.
Mike Browning, the general manager of Manheim San Antonio, has spent a year in the president-elect role for NAAA and is well prepared for his tenure as president.
Auto Remarketing reached out to Browning in August to gain insight into the new NAAA president’s career and what led him to the pinnacle of the auto auction industry in the U.S., as well as what his primary focus will be during his upcoming tenure.
Browning, a Louisiana native, brings unique experience to the role, as his first foray into the auto business started in retail.
The NAAA executive entered the auto world back in 1989 as a car salesmen and worked his way up to the position of general manager for Hopkins Toyota of Vicksburg, Miss.
After more than a decade on the retail side of the business, Browning took the unique perspective he gained during his experience in the dealership and decided to jump into the wholesale industry.
In 2003, Browning joined Manheim as the general sales manager of its New Orleans auction. In June of 2005 he was named GM, and according to his NAAA bio, this move resulted in a 200-percent increase in revenue for the auction.
“As a former buyer/consigner at the auction I jumped at the chance to join the Manheim team once David Young (a past senior market vice president and group VP for Manheim) offered me a position,” said Browning. “The remarketing side of the industry always appealed to me, and I wanted a chance to be a part of it.”
And his time in retail, Browning said, helped prepare him for a successful career in wholesale, as well.
“I’ve been a part of all sides. I’ve been a buyer and a seller. I understand the pain points, the needs and wants of all involved. I feel like I can bring everyone together,” he said.
Browning added part of his success in the industry is also due to exposure to some of the industry leaders that helped “mold my career.”
Browning has now been in the auto auction industry for more than a decade, and he told Auto Remarketing one of the most memorable moments of his wholesale career was leading Manheim New Orleans through the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, a disaster that recently marked its 10-year anniversary.
“My team was devastated. Our homes, our facility and our community were all deeply affected,” said Browning. “True heroes stepped up, and we were able to recover. Manheim and our entire industry showed their true colors, and we were able to rebuild and return to a thriving team.”
As for what inspires Browning most about his career, he said he simply loves being part of the used-car market.
“Being involved in the change of traditional auctions is exciting, reviving the ‘Customer’ experience, embracing the challenge of competition and molding our leaders of tomorrow are some of the things that drive me,” he said.
As Browning prepares to be inducted as the leader of NAAA this month, he said that Jack Neshe, chairman of the board at NAAA, and Ellie Johnson, current NAAA president, have been “incredible mentors.”
“Their leadership the past two years has taught me the value and importance of this role and what I need to do to carry on the legacy of the 46 past NAAA presidents,” Browning said.
Upon his induction as NAAA president, Browning shared three focuses that will be top-of-mind as his tenure beings.
“One will be to carry the torch across the finish line for Ellie (Johnson) with our safety initiative. This will be a game changer for our NAAA members and will help to teach and outline our safety expectations for our staff and our dealers,” Browning said.
Last September, when Auto Remarketing interviewed the 2014-2015 incoming NAAA president, Johnson noted she aimed to help NAAA member auctions emphasize the important of safety to employees.
Browning shared that the next item on his agenda will be to roll out the “Auction of the Year” award, which will be based on community involvement.
“We have some incredible stories of auctions who not only give money, but employees who give time. I want to acknowledge their outstanding effort and show the world what an important role we play in each community. More on this to come at our NAAA meeting in Orlando,” Browning said.
Lastly, he explained he wants to “mine” some of the tremendous up and coming talent in the auto auction industry.
“The ideas and vision of our future leaders is vital to our association, and I want to challenge them to get involved,” he said.
And as GM of Manheim San Antonio, and in his soon-to-be role of leading NAAA, Browning says he follows a simple “mantra” when it comes to successful management and leadership.
“The mantra I have put into place for our team in San Antonio is ‘Lead, Teach and Motivate.’ We do these things daily as part of our culture. These simple steps help foster an engaged team and point us in one direction,” Browning said.
Browning is no stranger to leadership. Before moving into national leadership positions, Browning had been active in the NAAA Southern Chapter as secretary, vice president, president-elect and president, and is currently the chapter’s chairman of the board. He has also sat on the NAAA Board of Directors.
And on top of his work with NAAA, Browning is also a professional member of the Mississippi Independent Auto Dealers Association (MIADA), Louisiana Independent Auto Dealers Association (LIADA) and the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association (NIADA).
And NIADA has honored Browning with the NIADA Eagle Award twice already.
As for what challenges and opportunities await the auction industry in the coming year, Browning said it comes down to one word: change.
“I feel like our biggest challenge is also our greatest opportunity. Change … It’s a word often used but not always understood. What needs to change and what needs to stay constant?” Browning said. “I think we should always be challenging the status quo. In-lane or online, we have to be looking forward.”
Edmunds.com announced the hiring of four new additions to its executive leadership team today, bringing in a mix of individuals with automotive experience as well as from other industries.
Billed as a pathway to bring a "fresh perspective" to the company and its efforts to enhance dealer business, the four new executive hires and their roles include:
—Nathalie Lubensky, chief marketing officer
—Mark Longfellow, senior vice president of dealer business
—Mark Rankin, vice president of dealer platform development
—Sven Wood, vice president of brand and product marketing
Lubensky, Rankin and Wood have already began working at Edmunds. Longfellow will start at the company on Oct, 13.
“All four of these new hires are exceptionally talented executives who have the experience and savvy to take our business operations to the next level,” said Seth Berkowitz, Edmunds.com’s president. “We anticipate that their diverse backgrounds from multiple fields will give us a fresh perspective on how we can deliver new ways to sell and communicate our services to the automotive industry.”
As the new CMO, Lubensky is in charge of expanding Edmund’s reputation and reach. She joins the company from Sony Pictures Television Networks Latin America, where she served as the senior vice president and general manager overseeing Sony’s Spanish-language channels.
Lubensky holds a degree in communications arts and marketing from NYIT. She is also a graduate of the Cable Executive Management program at Harvard Business School and the NAMIC executive leadership program at The Anderson School of Management at the University of California.
Longfellow, taking on the role of senior vice president of dealer business, will be responsible for overseeing the company’s national accounts, Tier 3 sales, Tier 3 regional training, inside sales, dealer operations and sales development organizations. He previously served as the general manager at construction company James Hardie.
New vice president of dealer platform development Mark Rankin now oversees the company’s relationships with dealers and builds partnerships inside and outside of the automotive industry. Rankin most recently served as the chief executive officer of Dealer HQ.
Wood, with 16 years of automotive marketing experience with BMW, takes on the role of vice president of brand and product marketing, where he is charged with developing new ways to showcase Edmunds’ products and services to both vehicle shoppers and dealers.
For more information on Edmunds, visit its site here.
ADESA subsidiary AutoVIN chose what it dubbed to be a seasoned and experienced leadership team on Tuesday for the company’s expanded operations in Canada and the U.S.
Officials highlighted the AutoVIN leadership team now is led by Richard Carpentier, chief operating officer and senior vice president of operations across North America.
A familiar name in the remarketing and vehicle inspection industries in Canada, Carpentier will oversee all aspects of the company’s day-to-day operations in Canada and the United States, including field operations, call centers, quality assurance teams, client relations and business development. He has more than 20 years of experience in the industry, managing operations and business development teams for inspection companies, first for Quadrex/Manders and later for DataScan.
Carpentier most recently held the position of managing director for DataScan’s Canadian operations. Carpentier will report to Trevor Henderson, chief operating officer for ADESA Canada.
With 10 years of experience at ADESA, the company indicated Nick Pawlak will serve as vice president of U.S. operations for AutoVIN.
In this role, Pawlak will be responsible for all field operations in the U.S., including the company’s vast network of field inspectors, as well as the Carmel, Ind.-based office inside operations.
Since joining ADESA and the KAR Auction Services, Pawlak has held a variety of positions, including senior analyst, investor relations, auction assistant general manager and, most recently, regional online sales manager.
Meanwhile, Gilles Pellerin will serve as director of Canadian operations. The company noted Pellerin is an ideal fit for this role, considering his 40 years of experience in the vehicle inspection industry.
Pellerin will oversee all of the day-to-day duties of the team in Canada, including field operations and the staff of field inspectors, as well as the inside operations for both Canadian offices. He will be based out of the Montreal office.
Pellerin began his career managing operations of appraisal functions for insurance companies. He served as vice president of operations in Quebec, first for Quadrex/Manders and later for DataScan.
As the vice president of client relations, Ann Cammarata will lead all client relations and customer support for the AutoVIN database. The company noted Cammarata has more than 25 years of experience in client relations in the vehicle inspection industry.
Cammarata joined the team earlier this year when ADESA acquired the vehicle inspection business from DataScan Field Services. She was recognized for her accomplishments in client relations with DataScan as part of Auto Remarketing’s Women in Remarketing in 2014.
“We’re excited to have such experienced professionals leading AutoVIN in both the U.S. and Canada,” ADESA president and chief executive officer Stephane St-Hilaire said.
“I have every confidence that Trevor, Richard, Nick, Gilles and Ann will ensure that our customers receive an outstanding level of service as we continue to unite AutoVIN and DataScan staff and resources,” St-Hilaire added
AutoVIN’s parent company ADESA recently acquired the vehicle inspection business from DataScan Field Services, a JM Family Enterprises company. DataScan utilizes Internet-based technology to perform vehicle inspection services for major manufacturers, financial institutions, leasing companies and warranty companies.
Building on the AutoVIN brand, the company said it will employ a network of field inspectors throughout Canada and the United States, serving all major vehicle leasing companies and auto finance companies with lease portfolios. The network’s broad geographical reach will mean expanded coverage for inspection customers.
The acquisition brings three new offerings to the AutoVIN portfolio, including warranty claim inspections, CPO audits and physical damage appraisals. These new services will create a network of opportunities for the KAR group of companies.
“Combining AutoVIN and DataScan resources, under the guidance of this experienced and well-known team, we have an outstanding offering that promises to meet a wide variety of customer needs,” St-Hilaire said.
XLerate Group, formerly known as American Auto Auction Group, announced the addition of two experienced and respected individuals in the remarketing industry to its corporate sales team.
On Tuesday, the company promoted Kelly McAllister as director of business development, joining XLerate’s newest hire Julie Heichel, who will be director of sales operations
Both McAllister and Heichel will report to senior vice president of sales Pat Dudash.
McAllister is transferring to the XLerate corporate team from Texas Lone Star auction where he established himself as a thought leader and operator in both the online and traditional auction spaces. He has managed, directed and grown new and existing private label auctions for the company.
McAllister’s experience also includes 10 years as the AutoNation accounts manager for Manheim and two years at Dealertrack Technologies.
“I have watched our industry approach auction sales as either online or in the lane,” McAllister said. “Online buyers and sellers are a growing part of our overall sales strategy, but they are not that different from the buyers and sellers we want in our physical lanes. Our auctions are learning how to blend and tailor their approach to both."
Dudash shared perspective on what McAllister’s impact will be in his new role with XLerate, which is one of the sponsors again for this year’s National Remarketing Conference at Used Car Week.
“We see the opportunity in multi-platform sales from both dealer feeds and auction feeds to create another sales month in the calendar year,” Dudash said. “That opportunity represents a large volume of units, and we need a quality and experienced person to manage this business unit for us.
“Kelly has proven that he can both develop and successfully execute in — this emerging business model,” Dudash added.
Heichel comes to XLerate with a strong grounding in sales management, strategic business development, CRM and marketing within the automotive industry. Notable is the decade she spent with ADESA developing dealer sales infrastructure and CRM for buyer and seller acquisition.
Heichel worked closely with auctions and institutional/commercial customers to positively impact retention. Recently, she spent four years with Automotive Finance Corp. (AFC) as a sales director and was instrumental in creating and implementing multiple operational initiatives for its business development and sales programs.
“Pat Dudash and I are excited to now have Kelly McAllister as a full-time corporate resource for our XLerate group auctions and their general managers,” XLerate’s chief executive officer Cam Hitchcock said. “We look for Kelly’s impact to grow in his new role.”
“Pat and I are honored to have worked with Julie Heichel in the past. Hitchcock continued. “We are aware of her significant skills, strong work ethic, powerful communication style and passionate commitment to her team.
“The XLerate Group auctions and our corporate staff are pleased to welcome Julie to the team,” Hitchcock went on to say.
XLerate is an established group of dealer-centric auctions with physical and satellite sale operations in California, Texas, Florida, South Carolina, Mississippi, Wisconsin and Michigan.
Greg Levi is returning to Columbus Fair Auto Auction as a member of its leadership team.
It was announced today that Levi has been chosen as the auction’s new chief operating officer.
CFAA management explained Levi will be directing the business’s growth of its 11-lane Wednesday sales, and will be in charge of managing the auction, body shop, recon department and mechanic shop.
"Greg brings a very customer centric and employee focused approach to our operation," said Alexis Jacobs, CFAA president. "Our employees are thrilled to see Greg back, and our dealers and commercial consignors have been extremely pleased with his return to Columbus Fair."
Levi brings a breadth of experience to the position of COO, as he left the auction in November 2013 to fill the position of executive vice president of Finance Express, where he was involved in product management and strategy before the company’s acquisition by DealerSocket.
"Greg's diverse background, both in technology and wholesale/retail automotive management is a true asset to our corporate mission: provide an environment that is inviting for consignors to sell cars and dealers to buy and sell cars. Our business should and will be about serving our consignor network and the dealer experience," said Jacobs.
Levi also expressed his enthusiasm for the new role, noting: "Columbus Fair has a stable and tenured management team. Being with this group and the 450 employees is like being home with family.
“Alexis has always promoted customer service and employee development, I look forward to promoting her objective of being the best. Her legacy is and will be about customer service,” he said.
Avis Budget Group announced upcoming executive shifts within the company, including a new addition to the company’s board of directors and a succession plan for the role of chief executive officer.
Effective Oct. 1, Larry D. De Shon, will become Avis Budget's president and chief operating officer as well as become an official member of the company’s board. In addition, De Shon will assume the role of chief executive officer effective Jan. 1, succeeding Ronald Nelson, who has maintained the CEO role since 2006.
Nelson will stay on as executive chairman after stepping down from the role of CEO. De Shon has held his current position, president, international, since Jan. 1 of this year, where he’s been responsible for overseeing all of the company’s brands in the international region. He joined the company in 2006 and has previously overseen Avis Budget’s Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and U.S. operations.
Following De Shon taking the reins as CEO at the start of 2016, David B. Wyshner, currently the company’s senior executive vice president and chief financial officer, will assume the role of president. He will assume global responsibility for the company’s strategy, licensing and integration of the demand/fleet/pricing system, in addition to his current responsibilities as CFO.
"Larry and David have an extremely strong track record of producing results and are eminently qualified for their new positions,” Nelson said. “We have worked diligently with the Board over the past several years to successfully develop and prepare them for their new roles. The Board and I are confident that these two executives will seamlessly transition into their new responsibilities and, together with Mark and Joe, continue to drive our strategy forward into the future.”
Mark Servodidio, currently the managing director, Europe, has been promoted and will assume De Shon’s current role of president, international while Joseph Ferraro will continue to lead the company’s Americas region as president, Americas.
"The opportunity to lead Avis Budget Group is a tremendous honor,” De Shon said. “I look forward to continue working with David and the entire senior leadership team to engage our exceptional employees and produce results for all stakeholders.”
For more information about Avis Budget Group, visit its site here.
Automotive reconditioning company Dent Wizard International has promoted a new regional business development manager in the Mid-South area.
Announced Wednesday, Scott Stoner has been added to the company’s team as its Mid-South regional business development manager, and will work from his office in St. Louis.
Stoner will be responsible for managing and expanding Dent Wizard’s business in Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and Utah.
He will report to Addison Thomas, Dent Wizard’s regional vice president of MidSouth.
“Scott is one of Dent Wizard’s most tenacious, driven, and knowledgeable resources. He hit the ground running and is already cultivating new business in this market” said Thomas.
Stoner began his tenure at Dent Wizard as a technician 15 years ago and was promoted to sales manager, and later to district manager.
“Scott brings a passion to the customer side of the equation that is second to none. He understands the clear value proposition Dent Wizard provides our dealer partners. He brings a serving attitude every day and is committed to ensuring we continue to challenge ourselves in ways that strengthen customer relationships. We are excited to have added Scott to our team of professionals” said Mike Black, Dent Wizard’s chief operating officer.
CarGurus announced the appointment of its new chief financial officer. Joining the company from Polaris Partners is Jason Trevisan, who formerly served the latter venture capital firm as a general partner.
Langley Steinert, the founder and chief executive officer of CarGurus, welcomed Trevisan to the team.
“CarGurus continues to expand in terms of revenue and our role in the marketplace; having high caliber leadership in place is critical in our ongoing success,” Steinert said. “Jason’s extensive background working with consumer technology and Internet companies will be instrumental as CarGurus grows in the U.S. and beyond.”
Prior to his time with Polaris Partners, Trevisan held various management roles at aQuantive and served as a consultant with Bain & Company.
“CarGurus brings a unique approach to a fast-evolving market, and it is no surprise that the company has solidified its position as a top automotive shopping site among consumers and dealers,” Trevisan said. “I am excited to be part of this high energy team as we bring the company to the next level.”
For more information about CarGurus, visit its site here.
Cox Automotive has brought its Kelley Blue Book and Autotrader properties under one leadership structure headed up by Jared Rowe, who is now president of Cox Automotive Media Division.
The company shared a statement Tuesday explaining the new alignment.
Rowe, who will report directly to Cox Automotive president Sandy Schwartz, had led Autotrader and KBB, respectively, in his prior two posts.
He was named president of Autotrader in August 2014, after serving two years in the same role at KBB.
“This new structure will drive growth by enabling us to optimize our product set for our dealer and OEM customers and to drive traffic across sites in a way that best addresses the needs of our consumers,” Schwartz said. “Jared has exactly the leadership, understanding, passion and experience we need to lead media at this critical point in the formation of Cox Automotive.”
The company noted in its announcement that the move is meant as a “growth opportunity for both companies and not a cost-cutting initiative.”
Rowe added: “Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book are naturally complimentary. By aligning the businesses against this principle, we can grow both brands while respecting each company’s unique position in the marketplace.
“We will leverage a larger pool of resources, our best collective thinking and an aligned strategic approach to deliver enhanced solutions for our customers and a better shopping experience for consumers.”
