Saab Automobile AB Announces New Global Sales Structure

TROLLHATTAN, Sweden, Feb. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Saab Automobile AB today announced the introduction of a new global sales structure aimed at enhancing support and communication with its markets around the world. The announcement comes as Saab Automobile AB is embarking on its biggest-ever product offensive and expansion into several new markets around the globe.

Effective February 1, Saab Automobile's new global sales organization is divided into four regions, each led by a regional director responsible for market development, sales and aftersales. The regions identified in the new structure are: Americas, Nordic, Europe, and Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa.

The Americas region includes the United States, traditionally Saab's largest market, and will be led by Alan Ludwell, currently responsible for importer markets at Saab Automobile AB. Magnus Hansson will continue as regional director for the Nordics, where Sweden is the largest market. The Europe region will be led by Jonathan Nash, who leaves his position as managing director of Saab Great Britain. Over the course of the next few months Saab Automobile AB aims to announce a regional director for Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, where China will become the main focus.

All regional directors will be based at company headquarters in Trollhattan, Sweden, where they will report directly to Saab Automobile AB Executive Director Global Sales & Aftersales, Matthias Seidl.

Announcing the new structure, Seidl said: "This new organization gives individual markets a direct link with company headquarters through their regional organizations, creating shorter lines of communication and a more effective decision-making process. Getting this new structure in place is an important step as we focus on realizing the full sales potential of our markets and build on the recent sales momentum.

"This year will be extremely important for Saab Automobile AB as we continue our biggest-ever product offensive with the introduction of exciting new vehicles like the Saab 9-4X crossover and the Saab 9-5 SportCombi. The new sales structure should help us make the most of the volume opportunities these products will create for us."

Saab Cars North America today also announces the addition of Mr. David Rooney as Executive Director Marketing for North America.

David has a very extensive executive marketing background.  He spent the duration of his career at Chrysler/DaimlerChrysler where he held several director level positions in areas such as customer relationship management, marketing and global communications, brand communications, media operations, events and cross brand marketing.  David's most recent accomplishment includes authoring a book entitled: The 31st Second to stimulate organizations and individuals to "think like Marketers" by developing client centered strategies and tactics focused on brand positioning, integrated communication and measurable business development.

"We are very pleased to have David Rooney join our North American team in a very pivotal year for Saab Cars North America," said Matthias Seidl, Executive Director Global Sales and Aftermarket. "David's experiences and achievements over his career will help enhance Saab's overall brand image, ultimately influencing positive sales momentum."  

About Saab Cars North America:

Saab, or Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget (Swedish Aircraft Company), was founded in 1937 as an aircraft manufacturer and revealed its first prototype passenger car 10 years later after the formation of the Saab Car Division. In 1990, Saab Automobile AB was created as a separate company, jointly owned by the Saab Scania Group and General Motors, and became a wholly-owned GM subsidiary in 2000. In February 2010, Spyker Cars N.V. of the Netherlands, acquired the company from GM as an independently-run business.

Saab cars reflect the brand's unique Scandinavian design ethic, which is fused with its aircraft engineering heritage. The company is a global premium car maker with a distinguished history of innovation. It is recognized for its pioneering role in turbocharging, as well as occupant safety and the introduction of flex-fuel technology through Saab BioPower. Saab Automobile AB currently employs approximately 3,800 staff in Sweden, where it operates world-class production and technical development facilities at its headquarters in Trollhattan, 70 km north of Gothenburg.

http://media.saab.com/

SOURCE Saab Automobile