Mark Terry: new UK boss.

Mark Terry, 42, replaces outgoing MD Rory Harvey, who has moved within GM UK and Ireland to become aftersales director across the company’s multi-brand portfolio. During Harvey’s time in charge Chevrolet sales grew 27.6% in 2007 and were up again by a further 6.5% through to the end of September 2008. 

National sales role

Terry joined Chevrolet from Saab GB, where he was operations director from 2006 until 2008, having previously worked as Saab’s national sales manager and in regional sales before that. He has been a Saab employee since 1987, with a background in engineering as well as sales.

Commenting on his appointment, Terry said: ‘Chevrolet is a core GM brand and to be part of a successful growth phase is an exciting prospect. From a brand point of view, there is nothing better than Chevrolet to meet the demands of modern social and automotive developments, and our product expansion over the coming years will prove this.’

He told ModernSelling.com: ‘Over the coming years, my ambition is to establish Chevrolet not just as the car of choice in the value sector, but for a multitude of customers in many key segments such as MPV (multi-purpose vehicle/people carrier), SUV (sports utility vehicle), youth, and family.’

Tough times

Despite challenging times in the motor industry, Terry said he remains buoyant about Chevrolet’s future prospects.

‘Chevrolet is rightly placed to take advantage of the current economic challenges,’ he added.

Mark Terry: formerly managing sales at Saab.

‘Not only do we have great value cars that appeal to a more cost sensitive consumer, but also, in the SUV market, our Captiva offers exceptional value and specification for customers looking to consolidate their financial position.’

New models

Mark expresses excitement, too, about Chevrolet’s forthcoming products.

‘Personally, I’m thrilled about Camaro as it is an exciting extension to Chevrolet’s brand and heritage,’ he said.

Green credentials

‘The Volt is also going to be fantastic for Chevrolet, building awareness and exemplifying GM’s environmental credentials, while the production version of the Beat concept will underscore our emergence into a more fun and youthful market.’

Cruze launch

His first major activity with Chevrolet will be the launch of the Cruze – Chevrolet’s new global compact car, which arrives in the UK in the first half of 2009. A second new Chevrolet will be unveiled later in the year, and will again be a global leader for GM in terms of its architecture.

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