Chrysler’s Jenkins leaves top China post

FORMER Chrysler Group Australia managing director Gerry Jenkins has stepped down from his position as president and managing director of Chrysler Group (China) Sales Limited after less than four months in the job.

Chrysler Australia this week confirmed that Mr Jenkins had left the role and returned to Australia. GoAuto understands that he is now considering his future, although a spokesperson said he had taken early retirement.

Mr Jenkins, 53, was unavailable for comment before we closed for publication.

Left: Chrysler Australia managing director Clyde Campbell.

In a statement, Chrysler Australia said: “Gerry Jenkins decided this month to take an early retirement and departed both his position in China and the Chrysler organisation.”

A Canadian, Mr Jenkins was at the helm of Chrysler’s Australian operations for seven years before taking up the new role in Shanghai, which became effective August 1 and saw Mr Jenkins report to Chrysler’s Asia Pacific Operations chief executive John Kett – the Australian-born executive who is responsible for China and the entire Asia Pacific region, including Australia and New Zealand.

Mr Jenkins was replaced in Australia by Clyde Campbell, who took up the role officially on October 1 and also reports to Mr Kett.

Chrysler Australia this week told GoAuto that Mr Jenkins had been replaced in China by Daphne Zheng, a Chinese national who moves from her post as vice-president of marketing and communications for Chrysler Group (China) Sales Ltd.

Ms Zheng was also director of marketing and communications for Chrysler’s Asia Pacific region.

As GoAuto has reported, Mr Jenkins’ career with Chrysler began in Canada in 1979, and over the years he worked in a variety of senior executive positions, including marketing and communications director for Europe and, later, all markets outside North America.

Upon the announcement of his new position at Chrysler Group China, Mr Jenkins said he looked forward to the new opportunity in China, which is among the fastest-growing markets for Chrysler globally and the best performing outside North America.

“Living and working in Australia has been a rewarding experience that I will cherish forever,” Mr Jenkins said.

“The opportunity to live and work in China couldn’t have come at a better time. We have some exciting products on the way and the emphasis placed on the Chinese market has never been greater.”