Spenchian replaces Kelly-Ennis

[TuuSaR]

By Jason Stein
Automotive News / March 31, 2005

DETROIT -- The changes at General Motors keep coming.

Debra Kelly-Ennis, general manager of Saab Cars USA, has left GM and accepted a position with Diageo North America, a premium drink business.

Jay Spenchian, Cadillac's marketing director since 2004, will become general manager of Saab.

The moves are effective Friday, April 1, and come less than two weeks after job changes at Buick-Pontiac-GMC and other moves to reorganize and cancel product programs.

Spenchian, 46, takes over Saab after pushing Cadillac's CTS, STS and SRX into the premium market. Spenchian joined GM in 1998 and has held a variety of positions with Cadillac, including marketing director for the CTS, XLR and SRX, as well as brand manager of the Escalade.

"Jay's experience launching the Cadillac CTS, SRX and STS in premium segments globally makes him the ideal choice for this position.
We believe (Spenchian) is the right person to lead Saab during its most aggressive vehicle development program in its history," said Mark LaNeve, GM North America vice president of vehicle sales service and marketing.

News of the change seemed to catch dealers off guard. Dealers were notified in a conference call Thursday morning.

"It was pretty straightforward and was termed an amicable divorce," said Christopher Cerrina, head of the International Dealer Council for Saab and president of Parkfield Motors, Inc. in Bergenfield, N.J. "I was surprised."
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Pikaisen nettihaarukoinnin perusteella vaihdos on otettu varsin positiivisesti vastaan. General manager paikka USA:ssa on varsin korkea koska tulevia malleja tehdään paljolti sen pohjalta miten isoin markkina-alue haluaa.

[Toby]

Joo, tästähän oli ennakkotieto jo eilen, joten ei ole edes aprillia.

Luin myös jostain sellaisia käsityksiä, että tämä uusi Cadillac-mies olisi varsin arvostettu ja jollain lailla Cadillacin uuden nousun taustavoimia. Toivotaan, että Saabin osalta tämä on hyvä merkki...

Huolestuttavaa vaan sinänsä, että Augustsson ei ehtinyt virallisesti lähteä, ennen kuin Kelly-Enniskin lähti. Ja juuri tuo, että hän ei suinkaan siirtynyt talon sisällä minnekään, vaan vaihtoi ihan muihin bisneksiin!

Mutta jos 9-2X-fiasko lasketaan edes pieneltä osaltaan hänen syykseen, en tietenkään mitenkään ihmettele!