Holden names new sales director

A HOLDEN executive who has helped to steer the crucial 2013 VF Commodore project and its Chevrolet SS export spin off has been appointed sales director now that planning for the locally made new-generation large car is all but complete.

Peter Keley, whose role as Holden planning executive director meant coordinating major projects at General Motors’ Australian subsidiary and liaising with global product teams, apparently put up his hand for the sales job vacancy that was created when previous sales director Philip Brook was promoted to replace sales and marketing executive director John Elsworth who quit Holden for Hyundai recently.

Mr Keley, who will take up his new appointment in the new year, will report to Mr Brook and work alongside marketing director Simon Carr.

The Holden team is preparing to launch not only the VF Commodore that will arrive in showrooms in mid 2013 but also several other major models, including the mid-sized Malibu and Trax compact SUV.

Mr Keley has worked for Holden for 30 years, having started as a finance trainee in 1983.

He worked in sales for a decade in the Victorian and Western Australian state offices before being appointed Holden New Zealand managing director and, later, export director.

In the planning role, Mr Keley has helped to knit the plans for new model lines, including those emanating from Holden design and engineering, through production to local and export markets.

He was also involved in the early planning for the introduction of Opel to this market as a separate entity.

“I’ve had an incredible career at Holden, and it’s incredibly exciting to take this to the next stage and capitalise on the benefit of my experience,” said Mr Keley.

“I have a great passion for the Holden brand and for Holden cars, and it’s that passion that I look forward to sharing with our dealers and our customers as we head into one of our most exciting years ever.

“We have some great newly launched cars and many more exciting ones to come.

“These will create many great opportunities for Holden, and I look forward to being instrumental in helping to realise them.”

Holden is yet to announce Mr Keley’s replacement in the planning job.