Volkswagen picks Commercial Vehicles chief after reshuffle

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has appointed Nigel Brotherton as head of marketing after a management reshuffle.

Brotherton moves from his role as customer relationship strategy manager at Volkswagen Passenger Cars, where he was also head of advertising and communications for six years in the Nineties. He will be replaced by Kevin Watkins, who has been brought over from Audi in Germany to implement the new dealer-based customer relationship marketing.

Brotherton, who will report to Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles director Peter Wyhinny, replaces David Williams, who is moving to head of customer strategy after eight years as head of marketing.

Brotherton will be joined by Stuart Hodge, who also moves from Volkswagen Passenger Cars to be head of brand services.

Volkswagen is building a separate distribution strategy for its commercial vehicles, selling the vehicles through either its regional network of 90 van centres, or through its shared location with passenger cars, where the commercial vehicles will have their own dedicated showroom and sales staff.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles recently launched two vehicles, the Transporter and the smaller Caddy vans, which will soon be joined by a new LT large van. The division is also responsible for the Caravelle minibus and the Volkswagen range of motorhomes.