News from Europe: Susan Docherty Is the New CEO of Chevrolet Europe. BMW Will Supply Diesel Engines for Toyota and Instead Receives Hybrid Systems
Here are the latest news from the old continent, Europe.
Susan Docherty is the new CEO of Chevrolet Europe
Susan Docherty was appointed Chevrolet Europe’s President and CEO. She will take responsibilities from 1 January 2012. Docherty will occupy the position previously held by Wayne Brannon, who decided to retire from GM after 38 years in the company.
Since May 2010, Susan Docherty served as Vice-president of sales, marketing and after-sales services in the GM International Operations, with a significant contribution to the success of GM and Chevrolet in emerging markets.
Wayne Brannon came to General Motors in 1973. Wayne held various positions in Cadillac’s departments of sales, marketing and planning, before becoming, in 1992, General Motors Director of Sales and Marketing for Africa. Since that year, he led various marketing activities and sales in Africa, South America and Middle East, living both in São Paulo and Zurich. Since the beginning of 2006, he boosted Chevrolet’s revival activity in Europe.
“It was an honor to be part of the team that brought back Chevrolet in Europe,” said Wayne. “2011 was a special year. There is no better way to finish my career of 38 years than celebrating the centenary of the brand that I love. ”
BMW Will Supply Diesel Engines for Toyota and Instead Receives Hybrid Systems
BMW and Toyota have released details of the partnership they have signed during this week. As the first information announced, it is a deal through which BMW will supply diesel engines and, instead, Toyota will offer access to hybrid technologies. The European Division of Toyota will boast with BMW’s diesel engines, of 1.6-and 2.0-liter, which will be offered on models produced starting with 2014. Meanwhile, BMW technicians will work closely with experts from Toyota to develop a BMW Group hybrid technology. Given the fact that BMW is the world’s most powerful hybrid, and Toyota has the world’s most economical hybrids, the partnership between the two manufacturers form the basis for a highly efficient hybrid system.
“Toyota is the leading provider of hybrid and environmental technology and BMW Group is the most innovative and sustainable premium car manufacturer. We join forces to expand innovation in segments in which we operate. By providing diesel engines to Toyota Motor Europe, we are making an important step in the scheduled expansion of our sales activities of engines and propulsion systems,” said Norbert Reithofer, head of the Board of BMW AG.
“It’s a joy to enter into this medium to long term partnership with BMW, a company with its own culture and history, built on many years of automobile production in Europe, a company that makes cars that give you satisfaction when you’re driving. In the spirit of contributing to the development of car industry and society, both companies will bring their knowledge to develop environmental technologies and to build better cars,” said Akio Toyota, Toyota president.
BMW and Toyota have already announced the development of a common model. Most likely, the partnership between the two manufacturers will be focused only on technology itself, not on a possible common component model. There is no information about a possible extension of the partnership to the 3.0 liter diesel engines, department in which BMW already has enviable results.
