Canadian Black Book has a new vice president of research and editorial, with former J.D. Power senior manager Brian Murphy taking over for Josh Bailey.
The announcement was made late last month and was effective Tuesday.
The company said Bailey “has elected to leave CBB to pursue his passion for travel, continual learning and personal growth.”
Canadian Black Book president Brad Rome said: “Josh has been a mainstay at CBB for many years and his very valuable contributions will be missed. We wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors.”
Murphy spent five years at J.D. Power in senior leadership roles in the Global Automotive Consulting practice, and his background also includes time at Nissan Canada and Subaru.
“As Canadian Black Book’s new lead analyst, Brian will direct internal CBB efforts to help media, stakeholders and industry keep a pulse on the foremost Canadian automotive trends, building on CBB’s 50-plus years as Canada’s leading vehicle values provider," said Rome.
"His prior positions in product management and marketing in the telecommunications sector bode well for the continued expansion of CBB’s digital solutions, and I know that Brian will play a significant role supporting the growth and evolution of our business into the future,” he said.
He added: “We feel fortunate to welcome Brian to the role, whose credentials and passion equal that which Josh brought to the position.”
Digital marketing provider Search Optics, which specializes in the car business, has named a general manager for its Canadian operations, as the company ramps up its focus there.
Hired as the GM of Search Optics Canada is Randy Price, whose background includes 15 years in senior roles with more than a dozen car brands.
"As Search Optics expands, we understand the importance of supporting the nuances of each region," said Christian Fuller, chief relationship officer. "With his deep background in sales and customer satisfaction, Randy's leadership comes at a crucial time for the company and our customers. His wealth of knowledge and experience will be a great asset to our customers for leveraging their digital marketing efforts to the best of their potential."
This is the latest in a live of continued global expansion moves for Search Optics, including the hire of David James as managing director of Search Optics U.K.
In his new role, Price will work the company’s clients in Canada, including Ford of Canada, and work to expand the company’s Canadian client base.
"With record car sales in 2015, this market is a key growth opportunity for our rapidly expanding global brand," said Price. "Our global focus with localized talent ensures a culturally sensitive approach to clients in each of our markets. As I have done with other brands in my career, I look forward to building out the team nationally while effectively positioning Search Optics as the number one choice for OEMs, dealer groups and owner/operator dealerships in Canada."
Heading up the U.S. rollout of Toronto-based TradeRev will be Keith Crerar, who was named executive vice president for TradeRev in the United States.
The news was revealed Thursday morning by TradeRev and parent company KAR Auction Services.
Crerar will report to TradeRev president Mark Endras. Crerar’s current role is ADESA vice president of dealer services, a position he will continue to hold until a successor is named, KAR said.
Prior to his role as ADESA VP of dealer services, he managed the company’s online field sales team, then earned promotions to posts as regional dealer sales director and executive director of dealer sales.
His time prior to ADESA was spent in the dealership world.
“Keith is the ideal fit for this position. He has a proven track record in retail automotive with an extensive knowledge of both car dealerships and auto auction operations,” Endras said in KAR’s news release. “He has strong, long-standing relationships with auction general managers, dealer customers and dealer franchise groups.
“He was instrumental in creating a nationwide dealer sales team at ADESA and will be an asset in leading our TradeRev operations throughout the United States.”
Crerar added: “TradeRev is a revolutionary mobile application that changes the way car dealers do business with regards to appraising and liquidating vehicle trade-ins. I am very excited to leverage my experience and relationships throughout the auction industry and franchise dealership groups to build TradeRev’s presence across the country.”
ADESA, a business unit of KAR Auction Services, announced today it has promoted a new chief client officer for ADESA Canada.
Chosen for the position is Lisa Scott, who was most recently senior vice president of sales, marketing and operations at ADESA Canada. In her new role, she will be responsible for all efforts to design and enhance the client experience across ADESA business units and locations throughout Canada, the company said.
Furthermore, she will also develop solutions and implement customer-centric strategies to serve the diverse needs of the company’s client base.
Scott will continue to report to ADESA Canada chief operating officer Trevor Henderson.
“Lisa is a proven leader with a passion for serving our customers and our industry,” said Henderson. “I am excited to expand her role with an increased focus on collaboration and integration between business units, including ADESA, OPENLANE and TradeRev. Her prior experience integrating the ADESA and OPENLANE sales teams positions her well to lead our client strategies in a cohesive way as we expand our offerings and services.”
Scott first joined ADESA in 1999 and has more than 25 years of experience in the auction and remarketing industry. In her most recent role as senior vice president of sales, marketing and operations, Scott was responsible for driving sales, identifying and implementing sales efficiencies, as well as directing profitability and brand awareness.
She has also served as chair of the Canadian committee of the National Auto Auction Association and co-chair of the Canadian chapter of the International Automotive Remarketers Alliance (IARA).
And in 2013, she was recognized as a leading woman of the industry by Auto Remarketing’s annual Women in Remarketing honor.
“I am very excited to take on this new role and look forward to continuing to provide our customers with an outstanding experience throughout all of our business units,” said Scott. “Our business is continually evolving, and it’s wonderful to be at the forefront of a company that is so committed to bringing innovative and compelling solutions to our clients.”
Audi Canada has a new manager for its used-car operations.
Taking on the role of manager, used cars for the automaker is Mike Brennan.
This move comes as Elankum Vairavanathan, manager of incentives planning and CPO sales at Audi Canada, transitions into his new role of manager of sales, planning and distribution.
Auto Remarketing Canada caught up with Brennan to get some insight into the used-car leader’s plans for his new role.
Brennan said he began his career in the auto industry in 1988 and “never looked back.”
“I have held many different positions and worked in almost all departments,” he said. “Over the years I have been lucky enough to work for many talented people and dealers and dealer managers. What I bring to the table is the accumulation of that experience and a desire to continue to learn from others.”
Brennan joined Audi Canada back in 2007, and has held a variety of positions since then, including time as an area general manager for Toronto, and most recently as manager, sales planning and distribution.
Prior to his time at Audi, Brennan also held used-car focused positions at Subaru Canada and BMW Group Canada.
When asked what his main responsibilities and primary focus will be in his new role, Brennan said, “To continue to support our dealer network with their efforts in securing off-lease volumes and remarketing them at the retail level as well as building brand value for Audi Certified in the marketplace.”
Brennan also shared he intends to help dealers convey the value of CPO to potential certified customers through national advertising campaigns.
He expects these “will continue to build the value story behind the certified brand.”
“We will ensure our dealer network has the support they need to relay this value story on the showroom floor and in the online world,” he added.
Brennan comes into the used-car focused role as certified sales for the automaker are booming.
Audi Canada experienced a 17-percent year-over-year CPO sales spike in 2015. The automaker sold 6,625 CPO vehicles in 2015, which was up from 2014’s sales of 5,678. Audi Canada CPO management shared 2015 was a record year for the program.
For Audi Canada, its CPO program works to help dealers secure repeat, loyal customers. In fact, this is the one of the primary reasons to sell a vehicle as a CPO unit, according to Brennen.
“Through the inspection and reconditioning process, combined with a two-year CPO warranty and market competitive financing thru Audi Finance, we are providing real value to our customers,” he said. “It is through the ownership period where this value is realized and the opportunity to earn a loyal customer is optimized.”
And for many luxury brands, including Audi, the certified program acts as a way into the brand for those customers who can’t afford to buy new.
“A certified pre-owned vehicle is a great ownership opportunity for those who choose not to purchase/lease a new vehicle,” said Brennan. “With our certified program, only available through an authorized Audi dealership, we can offer the same peace of mind that comes from a new Audi.”
As for what the new used operations manager is most excited about in his new role, it revolves around working with Audi Canada dealers and new and pre-owned managers to assist their efforts.
“They really do all the heavy lifting and anything we can do, whether through financing offers, marketing materials, point of sale materials, etc. is both exciting and rewarding,” he concluded.
Kijiji Autos recently announced the addition of four new hires to its team, citing its continuous efforts to build and strengthen the company’s core capabilities.
The company has created a new position, inside sales manager, a role which will be taken on by Justin Walsh. Walsh will lead the sales team and aims to deliver positive results for Kijiji’s advertisers.
His resume is full of sales and marketing experience, including nine years as the national sales and marketing manager at Tiger Direct as well as management experience at T-Mobile and Bell Sympatico.
Kijiji is also hiring three new advertising consultants; the following employee details were provided by Kijiji:
- Jeff Gloven – Previous experience includes the Bank of Montreal, FIDO and TELETOON
- Lacey Churchill – Comes from a pharmaceutical company where she was a National Key Accounts Associate
- Taylor Beatty – Most recently managed key accounts at Metroland Media
Ryan Thompson, Kijiji’s head of sales, welcomed the new additions.
“Adding to the team allows for more breadth in experience and extends core abilities while also increasing customer service and dedicated territory support,” Thompson said. “Coupled with our capabilities to leverage our tremendous data around consumer purchase intent and shopping behavior, provide dealerships with invaluable support and insights to help them make informed advertising decisions resulting in a quicker inventory turnover rate.”
To learn more about Kijiji, visit its site here.
RSR Global, who specializes in aftermarket retail products and programs for the auto industry, has chosen a former ADESA executive as its new president.
Karey Davidson, chief executive officer of RSR Global recently announced Steve Langdon will be the company’s new president, effective in January.
Langdon was most recently senior director of dealer sales at ADESA Auctions Canada, and joined RSR Global in August as vice president of strategic business development.
“Steve understands the automotive industry from a captive finance, OEM, commercial account and dealership perspective. He brings a diversified wealth of experience which will help to expand RSR Global’s reach in existing business models and within new innovative products and programs,” said Davidson of the recent appointment.
The new RSR Global president shared with Auto Remarketing Canada what he looking forward to most about the new role and what his focus will be as he takes on leadership of the company.
“I am really excited about being entrusted with the leadership of the RSR Global organization and directing the launch of upcoming enhancements to existing solutions in addition to the launch of new solutions,” said Langdon. “I am most excited about the opportunity to continue to work with all the individuals that I admire and respect within the automotive industry.”
Langdon brings with him almost 20 years of automotive industry experience to his new role. He began his career as a service adviser for Groupe Samatas at Excel Honda in Montreal. He was then recruited by Volvo Parts Canada to be the team leader for Canada and was promoted to Canadian operations manager within 18 months. In other words, Langdon is no stranger to quick promotions.
Moving over to the wholesale arena, the exec joined OnLane (that would one day become OPENLANE) in 2002 to build its inside sales team and continued to work with the company as program manager for Canadian and USA captive finance programs, and later as director of dealer sales and program director for USA captive finance and commercial programs. During this time, as many know, the business evolved to become OPENLANE through a merger of OnLane, AutoDaq and Auto Trade Center.
“Steve became a B2B expert for national commercial accounts, focusing on their individual strategies to provide relevant, quantifiable and actionable strategic improvement opportunities through highly specialized knowledge of vehicle remarketing channels,” RSR Global management said.
And in 2007, Langdon moved to ADESA Auctions Canada Corp. in 2007 and moved up in the ranks from his first position as executive sales manager, eventually taking on the position of senior director of dealer sales.
Throughout his career, Langdon has had a hand in every aspect of the biz, from working with OEMs and captive finance companies to banks and dealerships, providing him with insight from all sides of the auto industry environment.
“I have been very fortunate to network with and to serve many of the individuals that make up the automotive industry professionals in Canada and the United States over the years. I have been instrumental in developing and rolling out mutually beneficial traditional and non-conventional business solutions for OEM’s, captive finance companies, fleet management companies, banks, subprime finance companies, repossession companies and dealers,” Langdon said. “I have found that this experience provides a unique view into new opportunities within the current competitive landscape that exists for profitable aftermarket retail products and programs.”
Top focuses for new position
Before taking on his new role, Langdon shared diversifying current products and offerings will be key to his new position.
“We are working on the launch of a suite of ‘simple to deploy’ enhanced and new solutions which we believe will deliver a compelling value proposition to existing clients, and to the broader automotive industry,” he said.
Langdon said he will be focusing on three different areas come January.
One, Langdon said the company will be working to launch a combination of enhancements to existing solutions as well as brand new solutions for the auto industry.
He said the company aims to make these new offerings “simple, compelling, and actionable and for which the benefit is quantifiable for both the authorized retailer and the end user.”
Secondly, the new president will be working to promote the RSR Global brand and motto — “Helping Dealers Protect Drivers.”
The company is preparing to deploy a structured national dealer engagement campaign, which will rolling out in 2016.
“Our brand is strong and our dealer base has been loyal, and we are going to continue to show our Dealers that we appreciate their business more than ever,” Langdon said.
Lastly, employee and client engagement will also be top of mind for the exec.
“RSR Global is a great company to work for, and to work with. We have a strong foundation of tenured seasoned professionals which we will be featuring and continuing to invest in long-term,” Langdon said.
The company is moving forward with its recruitment plan for key management and sales roles identified in its new structure. Langdon shared RSR Global “will be investing time and resources to support an enhanced methodology driving professional client engagement activities.”
So it seems Langdon is prepared to take on his new role come January, but he certainly isn’t forgetting the holiday season in anticipation of new responsibilities.
“In the true spirit of the season, RSR Global extends best wishes to the Auto Remarketing Canada readership for a magical and memorable holiday with cherished family and friends,” Langdon said.
For more information on RSR Global, contact Harmony Fitz-Gerald at hfitzgerald@rsr-global.com or call (888) 291-9991 ext. 6715.
Toyota recently announced executive changes across its North American operations, effective Jan. 1, including naming the first Canadian president and chief executive officer of Toyota Canada.
Larry Hutchinson, vice president of sales and marketing, has been appointed to lead Toyota Canada Inc. and will be the first Canadian to assume the role.
In his new role, Hutchinson will oversee all aspects of sales and marketing for the automaker in Canada and will be reporting directly to Jim Lentz, CEO of Toyota North America.
Additional executive changes include the appointment of Cyril Dimitris, director of Lexus and Scion Divisions in Canada to vice president of sales, reporting to Hutchinson.
And Jennifer Barron, national manager of service retention, has been named director of the Lexus Division, also reporting to Hutchinson.
“These changes demonstrate Toyota’s commitment to the growth of its business in Canada, better positioning the company for sustainable, long-term growth both in North America and globally,” the automaker’s release on the news stated.
In his current position, Hutchinson oversees the Dealer Standards and Representation, Lexus Division, Marketing & Customer Experience Management, Sales & Inventory Planning, Scion Division and Toyota Division teams.
The new Toyota Canada chief began his career at TCI as an analyst in 1986, and was involved in the launch of Lexus in Canada as a Lexus district sales manager and then moved to manage vehicle distribution operations. Previous roles also include national manager of Toyota Sales and Marketing and national manager of Lexus Division.
In his past experience, Hutchinson has also managed dealer-related sales processes, such as the Toyota Certified Used Vehicles program.
Dimitris, the new VP of sales at Toyota Canada Inc., has been with the company since 1988. He has worked in a variety of different areas for the automaker, including finance and accounting, human resources, dealer technology and business innovation teams.
“Cyril was an integral part of the Lexus brand transformation which has translated into a new and improved appreciation for the brand, year over year sales records and higher dealer and associate engagement levels,” automaker management shared.
The new VP was also heavily involved in the Scion dealer expansion, which broadened Toyota Canada’s reach in the market, including the launch of the new Scion iM.
Barron, the new director of the Lexus Division for Toyota Canada, has also been with the automaker for more than 20 years, first joining in 1989. Barron was actually part of the original team that launched the Lexus brand in 1990. She has also played a key role in the After Sales teams and has held positions as national manager of customer relations, and was most recently the national manager of service marketing and retention.
Announced this morning, Mercedes-Benz Canada will have a new president and chief executive officer come Jan. 1, 2016.
The company informed its employees and dealer network today that Gareth Joyce will take over for Tim Reuss as president and CEO come the first of the new year.
Reuss will transition to president and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Portugal, effective Jan. 1.
Joyce began his auto career in 2004 with DaimlerChrysler South Africa as senior technical manager.
Three years later, he was named vice president of after-sales for Mercedes-Benz South Africa. Joyce has also held additional executive roles within the Daimler organization, in the Netherlands, and most recently in the U.S.
Since joining Mercedes-Benz USA in February of 2012, Gareth has served as the VP of customer services, where he has been responsible for setting the strategic direction for Daimler's after-sales market and managing its parts revenue portfolio.
Reuss has held the leadership position a Mercedes-Benz Canada since 2011, and under his guidance, the company said the automaker has achieved the No. 1 position in the Canadian luxury market.
The company shared he also played a large role in developing the dealer network in Canada as well as generating growth leading to record sales for the company for several years in a row.
He was also instrumental in further developing the breadth of the dealer network in Canada as well as generating compounded growth coupled with record sales for the company for several years in a row.
“During his tenure, Reuss worked closely with his team and his dealers to launch and improve numerous processes to manage this growth notwithstanding many renovations and large expansions of existing facilities as well as several brand new dealerships erected from the ground up, including three of the corporately-owned stores,” company management shared.
Mercedes-Benz Canada explained Reuss’s work has helped bring the dealer network’s respective infrastructures to “optimal operational levels,” which has prepared the company to implement its pan-Canadian "Best Customer Experience" program.
It was announced this week that Kia Canada has a new vice president and chief operating officer.
Chosen for the role is Ted Lancaster, who brings with him more than 20 years of automotive industry experience. The new VP will be responsible for both the daily and strategic operations of the sales, marketing, after sales and legal departments.
The announcement was made by M.K. Kim, president and chief executive officer of Kia Canada.
"I am looking forward to the next challenge of my career here at Kia Canada," said Lancaster, "Working collaboratively with our network of dealers and Kia Canada employees is a top priority in order to continue driving our mutual success."
Prior to joining Kia Canada, Lancaster held the role of VP of field sales and sales operations for Nissan Canada.
"We are elated with today's news and are looking forward to the future with Ted leading in his new role" said Kim. "Ted holds exceptional leadership skills, sound business judgement and integrity, and will certainly influence the operations of the company towards continued success."
