Ex-Daihatsu md to steer Land Rover

Rover has hired Peter Kinnaird, the former managing director of Daihatsu UK, to run its Land Rover business.

He becomes Land Rover commercial director, with responsibility for marketing and sales for the Rover-owned car manufacturer. The marketing role was previously split with a marketing operations director, but this post was axed last year after the departure of Russell Turnham.

Kinnaird returns to the UK motor industry after a two-year absence, during which he has been working for motor components group Inchcape in Chile. He will work with Rover Group marketing director Martin Runnacles.

Kinnaird replaces Peter Wyhinny, who has been moved to another part of the Rover Group.

Before leaving for Chile, Kinnaird was managing director of Daihatsu UK, which he joined in 1991. Previously he was marketing director for Alfa Romeo and had been marketing manager for BMW.

Land Rover has a number of models on sale in the UK market, including the Discovery, the Range Rover and the Defender. The advertising for these, as well as the finance operation and dealer support, are handled by Bates Dorland.

The total annual ad spend is worth nearly 7.5m, according to Register-MEAL.