Two senior executives hired by new CEO Bob Nardelli soon after Cerberus Capital Management bought Chrysler in mid-2007 are leaving in a reshuffle of the automaker’s global sales and marketing organisation.
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Chrysler said on Friday that chief marketing officer Deborah Meyer, previously with Toyota, had left “to pursue other opportunities” and that her role had been eliminated.
Asian region chief Philip Murtaugh – who greatly boosted GM in China before moving to Chrysler – leaves at the end of the month “to pursue other interests”.
Steven Landry, is now head of North American sales, marketing and Mopar parts and service, responsible for brand marketing, media and events, advertising, interactive and customer relationship management as well as dealer operations, field operations and distribution and Chrysler Canada.
Corporate research and global product planning are now in the charge of Michael Manley, who heads international sales and global product planning operations. He is also responsible for global demand planning, strategic portfolio planning, research, regional operations (Asia, Latin America, Europe, Middle East and Africa) and Chrysler de Mexico.
Chrysler vice chairman and president Jim Press said in a statement the consolidation “provides even greater alignment for the company to focus on its customers, dealers, regional operations and global product planning.”
“Chrysler will also refocus its efforts in Asia, redirecting the sales and marketing function for the Asia Pacific region, particularly in China, which will continue to report to Manley,” the statement added.
Chrysler said it would continue its global partnership and alliance strategy, including seeking new opportunities in China, but this would not be centralised at its Auburn Hills, Michigan, headquarters under John Cataldo, who heads business development and alliances.
