Performax bolsters executive ranks

AUSTRALIAN car conversion specialist Performax International has bolstered its executive ranks, appointing former Renault Australia NSW regional manager Glenn Soper as general manager.

Announced last week at the official launch of the Performax-converted right-hand-drive Chevrolet Camaro, which has now received Australian Design Rule clearance, Mr Soper’s appointment is understood to mark the Queensland firm’s first senior executive recruitment from the mainstream car industry.

He replaces Nicholas Vandenberg, who Performax said had resigned to start his own business.

Mr Soper has more than 25 years’ experience in the industry across management, sales, aftersales and dealer development areas. As well as working in the Australian market, he has worked in New Zealand and other locations in the Asia-Pacific and South Pacific regions.

In a statement released last week, Performax said Mr Soper’s experience, in addition to his time at Renault, included stints with Holden, Ford Thailand, Bentley Motors, Pentana Solutions, PNG Toyota distributor Toyota Tsusho, and global automotive consulting group MXSI.



Left: Performax International general manager Glenn Soper.

“Glenn’s wide mainstream motor industry experience will be invaluable as Performax International faces the most exciting opportunities in its 20-year history,” said Performax International managing director Greg Waters.

“These opportunities will be the result of having developed our design, engineering and production capabilities to be the best in the conversion industry during Nick Vandenberg’s time as general manager.”Although GM vice-chairman Bob Lutz recently put the right-hand-drive Camaro program back on the agenda at the American auto giant, raising the prospect of sales through GM Holden in Australia, Performax is well placed to capitalise on Australian interest in the acclaimed Holden-engineered American two-door coupe.

Priced from $135,000 plus on-road costs, the V8-powered rear-drive Camaro 2SS muscle-car is believed to be the first fully approved Camaro in a right-hand drive market.

As GoAuto has reported, Performax – which is billed as Australia’s leading independent importer of American passenger vehicles – considers the 2SS as the best right-hand drive car the Gympie-based firm has ever produced in both engineering and appearance terms.