Ateco Automotive Pty Ltd has announced changes to its brand management team in preparation for it taking over Ferrari and Maserati distribution for Australia and New Zealand in October and relinquishing its Australian Kia franchise in 2006.

Kevin Wall has been appointed the General Manager of Ferrari in Australia and New Zealand and David Stone returns to Ateco after a stint at Toyota to take over Kevin's role as General Manager of Alfa Romeo. Edward Butler moves from Kia to Maserati as General Manager for Australia and new Zealand and Dinesh Chinnappa also returns to Ateco as General Manager of Kia. He will oversee its transition to a factory-run operation.

"Each of our brands has specific requirements which we have matched to the skills of our new appointments," explains Neville Crichton, Governing Director of Ateco Automotive Pty Ltd. "Kevin Wall has developed a strong working relationship with our Italian colleagues and a deep understanding of the unique requirements of a prestige Italian car marque, ideal preparation for working with Ferrari. While the jump from Kia to Maserati may seem substantial, Edward Butler has shown great skill at growing Kia and a proficiency at working with dealers. This, together with his involvement with luxury brands overseas, will stand him in good stead with growing Maserati's presence in the Australian market," says Mr. Crichton.

"Alfa Romeo is at a critical stage in its development in Australia," explains Mr Crichton. "With a host of superb new models on the horizon, we need someone to work with our dealer group and prepare the market for these launches. David Stone, with his background in dealer development and sales, is ideal to fulfill this role."

Kevin Wall

New Zealand-born Mr Wall joined Ateco in 2001 from Daewoo Australia, where he was Chief Operating Officer, taking up the role of Alfa Romeo General Manager. Kevin started his Australian career at the sharp end of automotive retailing working for the Alto Ford Group in Sydney, before moving to Sydney radio station 2DAY FM, as head of its marketing and sales division. Following a stint with a leading advertising agency, he moved back into the automotive industry with Hyundai, before taking up the reins at Daewoo.

"There can be few challenges in our industry than being responsible for Ferrari," says Kevin Wall. "On one hand there is the excitement of working with such a unique brand, one that is the very byword for the ultimate in performance, style and technology. On the other hand there is the challenge of representing this company and ensuring that it's Australian and New Zealand presence at least matches the world standard for the brand."

David Stone

David Stone first joined Ateco Automotive as Audi Sales and Marketing Manager in 1989 and then returned in 2000 as Group Dealer Development Manager.
 

His main task initially was to grow and develop the Kia dealer group in a preparation for the six fold increase in sales that followed. He left Ateco in 2002 to take up the role of Queensland State Manager for Toyota and was recently promoted to NSW State Manager. 

Prior to joining Ateco for the second time, David was Dealer Development Manager, at Daewoo Automotive Australia, where he honed his skills as one of the industry's most respected network development managers. Before that he fulfilled the same role at Astre Automotive, the Australian importer of Hyundai and Chrysler Jeep.

"The last six years has seen the launch of Alfa Romeo in this market and its re-establishment as a significant player in the Australian market," says David Stone. "It is now time, with more than 10 new models due to arrive in the coming decade, to lay the foundations for the next big move forward for the brand. I am tremendously excited about this challenge as it will involve work at all levels of our business including distribution and dealer representation to deliver the levels of customer service that will match the next generation of Alfa Romeo products."

Edward Butler

Ed Butler joined Ateco as Kia National Sales Manager in April 2003 from GM de Mexico, where he had successfully relaunched Saab on the Mexican market. UK-born Mr Butler worked for General Motors Korea with the Cadillac and Saab brands and was also responsible for the pre-launch plans for Alfa Romeo in Korea.

This role also included development of the first GM "Premium Retail Environment" in the Asia Pacific Region. Prior to working directly for General Motors, Ed worked for GM subsidiary, Saab, as Regional Sales Manager for Asia Pacific, following three years where he was responsible for business development in China, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

His retail experience includes working for one of the largest luxury car retailers in the Middle East, based in Dubai. Ed was promoted to General Manager of Kia Automotive Australia in the middle of last year. During his time at Kia he has overseen a remarkable 29 consecutive monthly sales records for Kia in Australia.

"Maserati's product line is stronger now that it has been for many years," says Ed. "My role will be to lift up the awareness of the Maserati range of new cars to match that of the company name. This will require substantial commitment at all levels of our new business, from marketing to customer contact and handling. This, allied to the challenge of setting up a new business that opens its doors on 1 October, must make this one of the most exciting roles in the industry."