Fiat Chrysler bolsters management team

FIAT Chrysler Group has expanded its local sales operations with the appointment of three key managers, all of whom will play a significant role as the factory-owned distributor continues to march its American and Italian brands up the Australian new-vehicle sales charts.

Described as “vital to its continued success” and underscoring the importance of fleet business to Fiat Chrysler’s volume aspirations, the new personnel include national fleet sales manager Mark Tavcar, OEM and light commercial fleet manager Jim Boyd and eastern regional area sales manager for Fiat and Alfa Romeo, Stella McCauley.

While the resurgent Jeep brand continues to underpin sales volume for the group in Australia, the company has markedly improved the sales performance of its main model lines this year across all brands, including Chrysler and Dodge and the two Italian brands it took on from independent importer Ateco Automotive last year.

As GoAuto has reported, Fiat and Alfa are expected to account for at least 10,000 sales combined in the medium term as each model range and dealer network expands.

In the first half of 2013, Alfa Romeo sales are up 52 per cent (to 718 units) and Fiat has grown 150 per cent (to 1533), particularly with the repositioning of the 500 model range. A new Punto also arrives this week.

Jeep sales are up 20 per cent to almost 10,000 units for the first half, while the 300 large car launched a year ago has boosted the Chrysler brand (1315 sales YTD). Dodge, too, remains in the picture with sales of the Journey people-mover up 45 per cent this year (835).

From top: Mark Tavcar, Stella McCauley and Jim Boyd.

Fiat Chrysler Group Australia chief operating officer and director of sales Matthew Wiesner said the three new appointments were “critical to the sales growth” at the company.

“Mark and Jim bring a wealth of experience and focus to fleet sales, and Stella will provide dedicated management and support to the NSW Fiat Alfa dealers to ensure these brands’ continued sales success,” he said.

Mr Tavcar has more than 13 years’ experience at Fiat Chrysler, most recently as area manager for the southern region.

As fleet sales manager, he will be responsible for “managing tenders, pricing proposals and client management of all passenger car fleet customers”.

Mr Boyd is a former national fleet sales manager at Renault Australia – he left the French brand mid-2012, with George Paradisis replacing him – and has experience as state manager for specialist commercial vehicle fleet services company Sargent, and as fleet sales manager for Jeff Wignall Ford, a retail group operating in Melbourne’s south-east.

Ms McCauley was previously working in sales administration and stock control for Chrysler, and also has experience as a logistics co-ordinator for the Bill Buckle Auto Group in Sydney.

The company said her appointment as eastern region sales manager for the Fiat and Alfa Romeo brands is the result of its “ongoing sales growth and expanding dealer network”.

She will responsible for vehicles, accessories and merchandise for the two Italian brands, “which will ensure Fiat and Alfa Romeo dealerships receive the direction and attention required to continue growth in the region”.

The senior management team at the Fiat Chrysler Group Australia has changed significantly in recent months under chief executive Veronica Johns, who took the reins in May when Clyde Campbell left to head up a New Zealand-based distributorship with business partner (and executive chairman of Ateco Automotive) Neville Crichton.

Joining the company at the same time was Mr Wiesner, who was previously director of Skoda Australia, and Tim Stuckey, a former sales and marketing chief at Nissan Australia who is now director of aftersales at Fiat Chrysler.

Media/advertising industry executive Mark McCraith has also come onboard as director of marketing.