Brent Dewar, new head of Chevrolet (Photo from GM)
Less than a day after news broke that Bryan Nesbitt, of PT Cruiser design fame, will be appointed to lead Cadillac, it's apparent there's going to be a change in leadership at Chevrolet, too. Automotive News reports that Brent Dewar will replace Ed Peper as the head of Chevrolet. He will report to Bob Lutz, vice chair of marketing.
Dewar has been leading General Motors' Europeans sales operations since last summer. Before that, he was GM's VP of field sales, service and parts. He was general marketing manager for Cheverolet in the early years of the 21st century during the brand's "Chevrolet: An American Revolution" ad campaign. Peper, meanwhile, moves over to Cadillac sales and will report to Mark LaNeve.
GM also announced that Susan Docherty will stick around to lead both Buick and GMC (less Pontiac). This stand-pat move doesn't exactly strike us as a vote of confidence in either Buick or GMC, as these are the "New GM" brands that need the most help. It's hard to imagine Docherty will have the wherewithal to resurrect both at the same time.
Automotive News (sub.req)
1487 says:
12:44 PM, 07/23/09
"This stand-pat move doesn't exactly strike us as a vote of confidence in either Buick or GMC, as these are the "New GM" brands that need the most help. It's hard to imagine Docherty will have the wherewithal to resurrect both at the same time."
Pretty silly statement. GMC is their 2nd best selling division and the Acadia has done well. Buick has only had one new product in the last 3 years. They are adding two more cars in the next 2 years. Thats the help they really need. You cannot produce results with an old lineup of cars.
stovt001 says:
01:50 PM, 07/23/09
Not much needs to change at GMC itself. GM just needs to realize splitting sales and ad dollars isn't the same thing as adding sales. Buick's new products look good as well. The brand shouldn't need much help after that. Again, the problem isn't with the brand per se, its how it fits in without cannibalizing other GM sales.
inlinesix says:
08:06 PM, 07/23/09
Another plus for GM. Buick is topping the overseas companies in dependability according to 3-year dependability study from J.D. Power.
http://editorial.autos.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=435214
71_iroc_rs says:
01:02 PM, 04/12/12
1 . problem, HERITAGE, GM is not using buying power of those who really have money, baby boomers. OLDS is gone due to name changes and drop sales. BUICK is doing same, lost heritage in name changes, lost Lesabre, Electra, roadmaster, special, super, riviera Gran Sport, Gran National. etc. and NOW importing cars calling them Buick, /?? opel put the name on it OPEL.
2. chev, use what sells, Names, must match car though. Chevelle, maybe on new 2014 impala chassis, rear drive , make a chevelle SS, and put in LS1 motor from Camaro. , MONTE CARLO, make a rear drive coupe this time know for performance not a luxury coupe , you go to Buick for that.
Nova , rear drive small car maybe for a 305 direct inject 300hp car. BUT keep history, coupes, and CONVERTIBLES, chevelle rag would be nice, Impala rag, Monte Rag for first time. NOTE 3 montes were built proto by Delorean in convert . 3 roadmaster / impala ss 90s were built in coupe and convert but never made it ???? why/ dumb
3. if people really are buying Escalade, NO one wants another mini chev , remember chevette already is gone. stop and make muscle cars people will buy.
4. special orders. >> or has business in this country forgotten the golden rule. Make what the customer wants to keep them coming back.
This manager is no different, they dont want added sales of "build it the way the customer wants" , build a fleet who cares what thy look like or what customers care. Wake up, SPECIAL ORDERS< and MODERN MUSCLE cars bring in business, HISTORY tells that if you can read.