Chase Hawkins takes the helm at Cadillac Sales and Service

With a number of very important vehicle introductions in upcoming months (and a rapid pace of change to follow after) this seems a good time to get more organized in sales and service leadership.  Today Mark Reuss made some line-up changes that look promising to add more depth to the leadership team and keep the right focus on Cadillac Sales and Service going forward.  Chase Hawkins had been serving as the Northeast Region Director for Cadillac, and is now promoted to VP Cadillac Sales and Service.  Lots to do with the ATS and XTS on the way and big opportunities for Cadillac in line leadership.

Chase has been in the automotive industry since 1990, with GM since 1996, and a GM Executive since 2007.  He has lived around the world on various assignments for GM, including South Africa, Switzerland, Mexico, and the UAE.

DETROIT – In preparation for numerous product launches in the coming months, General Motors North America President Mark Reuss today announced the following changes for U.S. sales executives:

  • Alan Batey, 49, is appointed to the newly created position of GM vice president, U.S. Sales and Service.  He will report to Reuss.
  • Don Johnson, 55, currently U.S. vice president, Sales Operations is named U.S. vice president, Chevrolet Sales and Service, replacing Batey.
  • Kurt McNeil, 48, replaces Johnson as U.S. vice president, Sales Operations.  He had been U.S. vice president, Cadillac Sales and Service, since 2010.
  • Chase Hawkins, 43, regional director, Cadillac Sales and Service Northeast Region is promoted to the position of U.S. vice president, Cadillac Sales and Service replacing McNeil.
  • Ed Peper, 50, 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, as will Brian Sweeney, who remains U.S. vice president, Buick and GMC Sales and Service.  The moves are effective   June 1.

Chase Hawkins U.S. vice president, Cadillac Sales and Service

“GM is playing offense with an aggressive rollout of new cars, trucks and crossovers,” Reuss said.  “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.”

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

Chevrolet will have transformed its passenger car, crossover and truck line up with new vehicles like the Sonic, Spark and Impala.  Buick, with the Verano and Encore, and Cadillac with the XTS and ATS, are entering segments where they don’t compete today.  And GMC will have one of the newest vehicle portfolios in the industry.

Batey began his career with General Motors 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.  Prior to joining Chevrolet in 2010, Batey served as Chairman and Managing Director, GM Holden Ltd. Operations in Australia and New Zealand.

“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.”

 

 

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