Volkswagen Australia has named a replacement for commercial vehicles director Carlos Santos.
Current general manager of passenger sales Ryan Davies will step into the role as Santos embarks on new prospects in New York from January 2019.
Santos has led the Volkswagen brand to strong sales performances with the Amarok, making Australia the biggest export market for the global ute platform.
Santos has also contributed to the Amarok’s third-placed VW model for sale in Australia after the Golf and Tiguan SUV, alongside aiding the Caddy into a 62.7% market share in 2018 and Transporter to a solid 10.2% share to pressure the Toyota Hiace and Hyundai iLoad.
VW Group Australia managing director Michael Bartsche says Santos’ leadership has been essential for the brand.
“Carlos has led the commercial vehicle brand to its greatest success and I have no doubt that he will emulate this in his new venture,” he says.
VW Australia says Santos’ secret plans will be “announced in the New Year”.
Davies says Santos will “be a tough act to follow”.
“But I have every confidence that we will continue his success; the commercial vehicles brand is entering an exciting era and will in due course be at the forefront of the electric vehicle revolution,” Davies says.
Davies’ role will be assumed by soon-to-be-former passenger vehicles product and marketing manager Ben Wilks.
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