Automotive industry: Top managers on the move

The retirement of Francois Fourmont, former head of local car manufacturer Dacia, is the most recent management staff change in the automotive industry. This year, the local market has seen a round of personnel changes, driven by personal (retirement) or professional reasons, as a consequence of the economic crisis that sent car sales to rock bottom.

TiriacAuto

After one year at the helm of TiriacAuto as managing director, Catalin Gavra stepped down in 2009 in common agreement with shareholders.

Gavra took on his role as managing director of TiriacAuto on July 1, 2008. He was in charge with overseeing and implementing the distribution and car repair network of TiriacAuto across the country.

Dragos Draghici, director of Hyundai Motor and Premium Auto (Land Rover, Jaguar) took over the leadership of Romcar (Ford) and M Car Trading (Mitsubishi).

BMW Group Romania

As of September 14, 2009, Stephan Breschan (photo) serves as country director of BMW Group Romania.

Breschan replaced Bernd John who assured the leadership of the car maker’s operations in Romania starting January 1, after Carl-Theo Fitzau retired.

The new managing director of BMW brings a 19-year experience in car industry. Breschan comes from China where he served as manager of BMW China training academy.

Bernd John is the sole managing director in the car industry that was changed since September 2008.

General Motors

Constantin Avromescu has been the sales, marketing and aftersales director of General Motors Romania after the replacement of Alfred Suter.

Constantin Avromescu has been with GM for more than seven years and had several roles in GM’s marketing and sales department.

Alfred Suter was named brand director Opel with General Motors Switzerland. He oversees marketing and sales operations of Opel in Switzerland.

Dacia

Francois Fourmont, the managing director of Dacia since July 2003, and managing director of Renault Romania said he would retire this year and would resign from his position.

Jerome Olive (photo) will be proposed as Administrator of Dacia at the General Meeting scheduled for November 26 2009 and as managing director of Dacia.

Renault Romania

Another change in the management of Renault Romania was the departure of Jacques Daniel, commercial director of the company.

Marketing manager of Renault Romania, Fabrice Cambolive (photo), took up the position of commercial director for Renault, Nissan and Dacia brands within Renault Group Romania.

As commercial director, Cambolive will oversee the activity of Renault, Nissan and Dacia car dealers.

Automobile Craiova

Valeriu Girlea was appointed as managing director of Automobile Craiova, after Lucian Lutaru left his post.

Automobile Craiova is fully owned by Ford Motor Company and has a common capital of 39.7 mln lei, in the form of 18.6 shares with a face value of 2.1 lei.