Renault names new Europe boss to tackle market downturn
 | Mueller joins Renault from the ADAC. |
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Renault has created a separate position to oversee its European markets for the first time as it moves to address its falling vehicle sales in the region.
The automaker said Stefan Mueller, currently CEO of German motoring organization ADAC, will become chairman of its Europe region on September 1.
"The current crisis, which is particularly affecting Europe, calls for tighter management of all the business's activities in this region," a Renault spokesperson told Automotive News Europe. "We need someone to be completely dedicated to this job."
Mueller, 51, will take on responsibilities held by Jerome Stoll, who currently has the title of Europe region chairman. Stoll also oversees Renault's sales and marketing and light commercial vehicles. Renault said Stoll will now focus on sales and marketing and light commercial vehicles.
Mueller will join Stoll as a member of Renault's executive committee. Both will report to Carlos Tavares, the company's chief operating officer.
Mueller, who holds Swiss and German nationalities, is an experienced automotive retail executive. He started his career at BMW in 1986 in sales and marketing. He was BMW's head of dealer development in the United States.
He later worked for Ford Motor Co.'s Premier Automotive Group and Volvo before joining Volkswagen Group in 2003 where he headed Audi's German market, then VW's retail operations in Germany before moving to the ADAC in 2008.
Renault separates its global sales areas into five different regions. Each one apart from Europe has a dedicated head.
On Wednesday, the company said its European sales fell 14.9 percent to 708,131 units in the first half.
You can reach Nick Gibbs at nick.gibbs@btinternet.com.
