Mercedes-Benz appoints former Volvo marketer as head of sales

DaimlerChrysler UK (DCUK) has appointed a former Volvo UK marketing chief as its general manger of Mercedes-Benz passenger car sales.

Ewan Ramsay joins the company after four years in Australia, where he worked first as managing director of Volkswagen, and then moved to Volvo where he was network and marketing director. He left his job in January.

Ramsay replaces Bernard Kuhnt, who has moved to take up a marketing role at Mercedes-Benz in the US.

Ramsay will reporting to Mercedes-Benz director of passenger cars Dermot Kelly. Ramsay will be in charge of all sales of the luxury car marque. Kelly says: “Ewan brings a wealth of experience to the DaimlerChrysler brand. His in-depth knowledge of working as both a dealer and importer in the UK and internationally is excellent.”

Ramsay arrives on the cusp of big changes in the sales division. DCUK is planning to open three Mercedes-Benz Experience Centres in London, Birmingham and Manchester.

DCUK also intends to cut the number of independent Mercedes-Benz dealers, but following months of acrimonious disputes and legal battles between DaimlerChrysler UK and its dealer network, the car manufacturer has been forced to back down and the notice period for dealers will be extended until 2003.