Jaguar Land Rover shake-up

JAGUAR Land Rover’s Asia-Pacific operations will come under the management of JLR Australia managing director David Blackhall under a new global reporting system announced today.

The new system groups both Land Rover and Jaguar into geographical zones, rather separate international streams for Land Rover and Jaguar controlled from head office.

In addition to his JLR Australia MD role, Mr Blackhall has been appointed managing director of Jaguar Land Rover Asia-Pacific, taking responsibility for Japan, South Korea and Asia-Pacific direct importers.

The massive Chinese market will be a region on its own, as will India – home to Jaguar Land Rover owner Tata.

Mr Blackhall said that previously, both Land Rover and Jaguar had operated separate overseas divisions dealing directly with markets such as Latin America, South Africa, Asia-Pacific and continental Europe.

He said the Land Rover and Jaguar operations had now been bundled and divided into geographical regions where they would operate jointly.

Left: JLR director global sales and service Phil Popham. Below: JLR Australia director sales and service operations Chris Lidis.

Like all regional managing directors, Mr Blackall will report to the newly appointed JLR global sales and service operations director Phil Popham, who was previously Land Rover managing director.

In Australia, Chris Lidis has been appointed Jaguar Land Rover director, sales and service operations, with Michael Cameron the national sales manager for both brands.

Mr Blackhall, who will continue to be based in Sydney, said he was looking forward to his new challenge.

“Having spent time as Ford’s marketing director in Taiwan earlier in my career, I am somewhat familiar with the dynamic Asian economies and the outstanding opportunities they offer us if we get it right,” he said.

“At the same time, we have developed an outstanding experienced team at JLR Australia, and the changes we are announcing today will allow us to take what is already a successful growth story in Australia to the next level.”

This year, Land Rover sales in Australia are up 27.5 per cent, while Jaguar sales have declined 5.6 per cent.

In 2011, JLR’s biggest event will be the arrival of the ‘baby’ Range Rover, the Evoque, in the second half.