Vauxhall axes brand manager role

Vauxhall is restructuring its sales and marketing team and axing the position of brand manager for individual cars.

The move is part of a shift in the car company’s marketing strategy designed to promote the Vauxhall brand rather than individual brands.

The changes, which are being driven by marketing director Declan O’Mahony, will lead to the brand manager’s role being dissolved from the start of next month.

Brand communications manager John Deed will take charge of communications for all car brands and will be the first point of contact for Vauxhall’s advertising agency, Lowe Howard-Spink.

Deed oversaw Vauxhall’s first corporate advertising campaign, which is on trial in the Granada TV area.

In his new role, Deed will report to marketing operations director Andy Jones.

Brand managers for individual car brands will take up new posts.

Jenny Dawson, brand manager for the Corsa and Tigra models will become field operations manager.

Ulf Quellmann, brand manager for the Astra and Zafira, is to become senior manager at Master Hire – Vauxhall’s contract hire division.

Peter Hope, brand manager for the Vectra and Omega, is to become product strategies manager for all car lines. Hope will have a team of five product managers working under him.